"I did the marshmallows on those!" Sharon announced excitedly.
"Oh you did? They look kind of burnt." Brenda replied.
Sharon just smiled and settled into her seat, and then groaned inwardly when she realised who she was seated between, they are usually good by themselves but together – a nightmare. This was going to be an interesting evening she thought to herself.
Sharon noticed throughout the meal that Lieutenant Provenza had been constantly refilling her glass; obviously trying to get her drunk. But she didn't mind because she was enjoying herself and she knew her limit. Apparently she wasn't the only one who noticed. Andy leaned forward in his seat and turned his head to look at Provenza and asked, "Are you trying to get the Captain drunk Old Man?" Being stuck between the two, Sharon just leaned back in her seat and waited for the Lieutenant's reply.
Provenza glared at Andy; realising that his friend had figured out his plan and was disappointed to find he wasn't helping him. "So what if I am? I just wanted to see if the Wicked Witch was able to let her hair down for a moment and keep her nose out of our business."
Before Andy or Sharon could reply, Morales jumped into the conversation. "Believe me; she can let her hair down. I have seen it happen on more than a few occasions. Just ask DDA Hobbs." Morales laughed before returning to his previous conversation with Lieutenant Tao.
"Look at that Old Man; case closed." Andy snapped at his partner before settling back in his seat and pointedly ignored his glare. Sharon just chuckled and moved her glass closer to Andy and out of Provenza's reach.
Sharon was quietly enjoying her drink and watching the others interact when Andy suddenly asked about her plans for Christmas. "So Captain, what did you miss out on because of this case?"
"Well I was planning on flying to Salt Lake then onto Park City to my parents' timeshare and spend it with them and my kids. But now the airport has been closed due to snow, so I will have to wait until it clears before I can see them, which should hopefully be tomorrow night. What about you Lieutenant?"
"I was meant to have dinner with my daughter and the ex-wife for the first time in a few years but let's just say that they are not too happy with me right now because I couldn't make it. I just hope Nicole understands."
"I can't see why she wouldn't."
"Let's just say the ex-wife can be a nasty bitch."
"Understood." Sharon laughed; which was a rare thing for Andy to hear.
Andy looked at his watch and sighed. "Well Captain, it's starting to get on. I was wondering if you would like a lift home."
Sharon looked at Andy with surprise for a moment before answering. "Are you sure Lieutenant? I don't mind getting a cab."
"Well now I have to insist on dropping you home, a cab is going to be expensive tonight. Besides I asked."
"Well then, if you insist. I would very much appreciate a lift home." Sharon smiled as they stood from their seats. "I just have to stop by my office to collect my suitcase."
"No worries. Come on let's get you home." Andy answered while helping Sharon collect her belongings that she had in the murder room.
"Flynn!" Provenza screeched from the other side of the room. "You're leaving already?"
"Yeah, I'm going to drop the Captain off along the way."
Provenza looked at Sharon and twisted his face up in disgust. "Drop her off what? Something high I hope!"
Sharon rolled her eyes before stepping into the conversation, "Merry Christmas to you too Lieutenant."
They both said their thanks and goodbyes before leaving the murder room and heading to Sharon's office. The drive to her condo was filled with small talk about work and their kids which surprised them both with how easy the flow of conversation had been. Then they got to how the Chief had tried to explain to her parents who Sharon was.
"The look on her face and how flustered she got trying to explain who you were truly made my week." Andy laughed as they came to a stop outside Sharon's condo. "You know you are a totally different person outside work." Andy marvelled and added in a whisper, "I like it."
Sharon smiled her first true smile for the evening before leaning in and whispering, "Don't tell anyone, it would ruin my reputation. Even if Dr Morales let slip that I am capable of letting my hair down." They both laughed.
After a moment of awkward silence Sharon asked shyly, "Would you like to come up for some coffee Lieutenant?"
"I don't want to intrude."
"You won't be intruding, I asked. Besides its Christmas, I would love the company."
"If you truly don't mind, then I would love to. Also please call me Andy."
"I truly don't mind Andy and if you insist on me calling you Andy then please call me Sharon."
"Okay, Sharon."
Sharon smiled at hearing him say her first name; there was something about the way it rolled off his tongue. They stayed there for another moment smiling at each other before they got out of the car and collected her suitcase from the trunk and headed upstairs.
"Make yourself at home Andy, I'm just going to put my suitcase in my room and change into something more comfortable." Sharon stated and headed down the hallway with her suitcase and left Andy standing in her doorway.
Andy closed the front door behind him and slowly walked towards the couch while taking in his surroundings. This is not what he imagined her place to be like; not that he thought about what her home would look like. Whilst lost in thought, he felt his phone vibrating in his pocket and was pleasantly surprised to see his daughter's name as the caller I.D. and stepped out onto Sharon's balcony to take the call.
Sharon stepped out of her bedroom a few minutes later in a pair of dark blue tight fitting jeans and her favourite oversized cream cable knit jumper while casually running a hand through her hair, but then stopped suddenly at the end of her hallway when it appeared that Andy had left. Surprised at the level of disappointment she felt, she walked to the kitchen for a glass of wine.
"I thought we were going to have some coffee." Andy questioned as he walked into the kitchen which resulted in Sharon squealing and nearly dropping her glass. "I'm sorry Sharon I didn't mean to scare you."
Sharon placed her glass of wine on the bench and turned to Andy. "That's okay Andy; I know you didn't mean it. When I didn't see you when I came out of my room, I thought you had left. Would you still like that cup of coffee I offered?"
"I just stepped out onto the balcony; my daughter called me and invited me to lunch tomorrow." Andy beamed as he stepped further into the kitchen. "If you don't mind I would prefer a cup of tea, it's getting a little late for coffee. Also why would I leave without letting you know?"
Sharon nodded and moved to the other side of the kitchen and began to make two cups of tea. "I just thought perhaps that you realised that you were in the Wicked Witch's house and that you didn't really want to be here, but I realise now that it was just a silly thought running through my mind and I would like to forget it. So Nicole invited you to lunch tomorrow; that sounds promising." Sharon smiled as she quickly changed topics and turned back to look at him as she waited for the kettle to boil.
Before Andy could reply they heard an insistent banging on the front door.