Thank you for all of your kind words and encouragement for my other stories. I truly appreciate all of your support! I've been looking forward to this time of year because of all of the Shandy Christmas goodness that happens around here, so I couldn't help myself and tried my hand at the genre. This is a little bit different because it is slightly AU. I've been watching a lot of Hallmark Channel Christmas movies, so I began wondering what would happen if Sharon and Andy's story occurred inside that universe instead of the one on MC (for those who haven't seen the movies, basically, they're feel-good romance stories that occur during Christmas. There are usually several well-known and loved tropes involved). I tried very hard to stay true to the world of MC and the characters while also submerging that into the world of Hallmark Channel's "jolly romance" stories. Needless to say, this is an experiment. If it works, it might just become a tradition. For the purpose of this story, Sharon never took over MC, and therefore, is still working in FID. She and Andy have a Closer-style relationship. I took some liberties with their backgrounds here and there (since we know very little), but otherwise, things should be the same or very close to the universe we're used to on the show. Of course, I welcome your thoughts, feedback, questions, etc.
I do not own Major Crimes or any of the fabulous characters (except for the ones I invented for this story). That honor belongs to James Duff and co. I just enjoy writing about them.
Chapter One: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
"I hate Christmas!" Provenza proclaimed loudly as he and Andy weaved through aisles of evergreens in a festive Christmas tree lot before finally reaching their grisly destination.
"Yeah, yeah, we know, Mr. Scrooge," Andy replied dismissively as they stared down at the reason for their seasonal location. The speakers on the light poles blasted a merry rendition of "Jingles Bells", and Andy couldn't help but notice the unfortunate juxtaposition.
"When else do people kill each other over an overgrown shrub," Provenza retorted as he gazed at the body nestled between two of the nicest Christmas trees on the lot. "Killed over a Christmas tree... there's your bah humbug!"
Andy simply rolled his eyes. They had been rolled out to a murder at this temporary corner tree lot, but his mind was elsewhere. After making some headway with his kids, he had been hoping to spend Christmas with them this year. But it didn't work out that way. The kids were spending the day with their mother, and Andy wasn't even going to entertain the idea of joining them. Instead, he was heading to his family's old mountain home - alone. His brothers would be there, but Andy knew he would still feel alone. Of course, all of this hinged on the squad solving the crime in the meager four days they had before the most wonderful time of the year.
"I don't know why you're so sour on the holiday anyway. You have Christmas plans," Andy said annoyed. Provenza scoffed.
"Which I invited you to, but that's not the point. I hate this time of year because people are idiots," Provenza explained. Andy rolled his eyes.
"I thought people were always idiots according to you," he replied. Provenza waved him off before rolling his eyes when he caught an employee dressed as an elf, pointy bell shoes and all.
"Yes, but they're even bigger idiots around the holidays," he said, still eying the young man in the elf costume.
"Grinch," Andy retorted under his breath. Of course, his partner heard him. Can't hear a request for coffee yelled across the room, but this he hears.
"I'm not the one stealing Christmas," he replied with his gaze pointedly at their victim. Andy let out a sigh. Bah humbug, indeed.
Sharon loathed doing anything at the last minute, but a string of officers behaving badly had kept her at the office late a lot over the last few weeks. It had felt like she was drowning in paperwork. So now she found herself smack dab in the middle of the busy last-minute Christmas rush at her favorite department store. She just needed to find the perfect gift for Emily and then she could retire to the solitude of her condo.
As she browsed the store, a beautiful silk scarf caught her eye. She rounded the glass display case and stopped in front of the rack with the perfect gift. She reached for it, but suddenly it was gone before it ever landed in her grasp. She turned to her left and saw the scarf's new owner admiring it. She cleared her throat, and his eyes met hers.
"Captain Raydor?" He asked surprised. "Fancy meeting you here," he flirted. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes.
"Lieutenant Flynn," she greeted him carefully. "It seems we're both after the same gift," she said indicating the beautifully crafted scarf in his hands. He studied the object before meeting her gaze once again.
"This?" He questioned, and she nodded. "I'm sure they have more in the back," he assured her dismissively. Sharon looked around for a salesperson, but none could be found. When she turned back towards Andy, she saw him talking to a young, blonde salesgirl, flirtatious smile in place as he explained the predicament. Of course, she thought. Sharon crossed her arms and pursed her lips as she waited.
"Apparently, everything they have is out on the floor," he told her after he thanked the employee and watched her walk away.
"Did you at least get her number?" Sharon asked sarcastically. Andy rolled his eyes.
"And here I was going to give this one to you," he replied annoyed. She frowned.
"And why would you do that?" She asked.
"Because you look like you want it more than I do. Who's it for anyway?" He asked.
"Not that it's any of your business, Lieutenant, but I was hoping to give it to my daughter," she explained. He looked down at the scarf and then handed it to her without preamble. Sharon reached for it tentatively, confusion painting her features. "But what about your... girlfriend... or whatever you call her. What will you get her now?"
"My sister-in-law?" He asked, and he enjoyed the way her brows furrowed in confusion. "I call her my sister-in-law, and I'm sure I'll find something. Wasn't really 'her' anyway," he added. She smiled sheepishly before accepting the scarf.
"Thank you," she replied genuinely. He nodded.
"Now, the question is, what do I get in return?" He asked coyly. She pursed her lips before quickly handing the scarf back to him.
"Never mind. I don't want it after all. Too many strings attached," she informed him before beginning to turn on her heels.
"I was thinking hot chocolate," he said casually. She turned back around to face him. Her features confused and suspicious. "Santa's village serves a mean cup of it here in the mall".
"You want to get hot chocolate with me?" She asked surprised. He nodded.
"Why not? It's Christmas. Hot chocolate is pretty much a mandate this time of year," he joked. She offered a small smile in return.
"I didn't realize you were so full of holiday spirit, Lieutenant," Sharon replied, a coy smile playing on her lips.
"Oh, I'm full of a lot of things, Captain," he retorted. She laughed, and he couldn't fight the smile that crept across his face at the sight.
Sharon paid for the scarf and then helped Andy find something for his sister-in-law. In all honesty, she found herself surprised at how much she enjoyed his company. There was definitely something about this time of year, she decided.
"So your daughter, she's coming for Christmas, then?" Andy asked around sips of hot chocolate. The two had made their way to the extremely festive "Santa's Village" in the mall's epicenter and were currently enjoying the very chocolate-ly concoction.
"No, actually, she is stuck in New York for work, and won't be able to come," Sharon replied evenly, but Andy could detect the disappointment in her voice. It was the same thing he was feeling.
"That's too bad. What about your... son, you have a son, too, right?" He asked.
"Yes, but he's tied up as well," she said focusing on her holiday mug. She was going to be as alone for Christmas as he was. He knew the feeling well, which is why he did something without evening thinking about it.
"Well, you're welcome to join my family for Christmas. I mean, my kids are spending it with my ex, but I'm going to visit family in one of the most Christmas-y places in the world," he blurted out. Her eyes widened as they met his. She was certainly surprised, but to her credit, she didn't look as thrown as he expected. What had he been thinking?
"Did you just invite me to spend Christmas with you and your family, Lieutenant?" She asked with a smile that he couldn't quite read.
"Well, yeah, but only because I know what it's like to be alone on Christmas. And no one should have to do that. Even you," he teased, hoping to release some of the awkward tension. It worked. She smiled at his joke.
"I appreciate the offer, I do. But I couldn't possibly impose on you or your family," she replied genuinely.
"Oh, you wouldn't be imposing. It's my family's house outside Tahoe City with plenty of room. We used to spend every Christmas there when we were kids. After my parents passed, my brothers took it upon themselves to continue the tradition. I haven't gone in several years mainly because of work, but I figured I'd make an appearance this year," he explained. She studied him a moment, unclear of how to respond.
"But you don't even like me. Why would you want to spend Christmas with me?" She asked a bit taken aback.
"Because my brothers, and particularly my sister-in-law, can be nosy, judgmental pains in my ass," Andy said truthfully. Realization dawned on Sharon.
"So, what you're really saying is that you need a buffer," she answered coyly.
"Yeah... wait... no... I can handle my family. Look, I was just trying to be nice. 'Tis the season and all. Never mind," he said finishing off his hot chocolate and moving to get up. "Thanks for the cocoa".
"Lieutenant," Sharon said quietly, and Andy stopped and returned to his chair. "You're absolutely sure that it won't be an imposition?" She asked hesitantly. She must be out of her mind for even considering this, she decided.
"Absolutely," he replied sincerely. She thought about for a few more moments before doing something she prided herself on avoiding: acting on impulse.
"I'm in," she said simply. The prospect of not having to spend Christmas alone too appealing to pass up. She knew she probably sounded a bit pathetic, but she reasoned Andy must be in the same predicament if he was resorting to asking her.
"Yeah?" He asked while studying her. She nodded. Now it was his turn to look surprised.
"Yeah. Like you said, nobody should be alone on Christmas, so..." she said with a small smile. Andy returned it.
"Okay then, Captain. We leave in two days, assuming my case wraps up in time," he replied warily. Provenza might have had a point about this time of year after all, he thought.
Sharon offered a nod and a small, shy smile before they said their goodbyes and went their separate ways. For the time being anyway.
This Christmas was certainly going to be unlike any other.
TBC
