This is for Sarah, Kate, Liz and Elizabeth….you girls are the best xx

Major Crimes

Sharon/Andy

The Shadow Of Your Smile

Chapter 1

Sharon closed her laptop and sat back in the chair, she turned her head to see nothing but darkness outside. She couldn't even remember seeing the sun go down, letting out a small sigh she removed her glasses and placed then on the side of her desk as she ran her fingers through her long brunette hair, a yawn escaping her lips as she did so. Her mind was full of horrible images from the last few days, that small child's body beaten and bruised by her abusive Father. If there was one kind of case that Sharon always found her to deal with it was the abuse of a child. The faint knock at her door brought Sharon back to reality and Rusty entered the room, his back pack on his shoulder.

"Sharon…."

"Yes honey, what is it?"

"Lt Provenza asked me if I'd like to go grab some burgers with him, Det Sanchez and Buzz…can I?"

She looked up at him and could see the pleading in his eyes; she got up from her chair and came to stand in front of him. Rusty was a little taken by surprise when Sharon moved to wrap her arms around him, hugging him tightly.

"Erm Sharon….you okay?"

Sharon held back her tears the best she could so as not to upset Rusty. "I'm alright Rusty, it's just been a long day."

"Are you sure, I don't have to go. We can always go home and do something."

"No don't be silly, you go and enjoy yourself with Lt Provenza and the guys."

"Why don't you come too?"

"Yeah, you're more than welcome Captain."

Sharon looked past Rusty to see Provenza standing behind them, a small smile on his face.

"Thank you Lieutenant but I think I might just go home and soak in a nice hot bath."

"You sure?"

"I am…but thank you."

"I'll have him home early."

"You know what, why don't you go and see a movie afterwards, on me."

Sharon grabbed her purse and handed Provenza a $50. "Captain you don't need to do….."

"No really I insist, it's Friday night and you all deserve some downtime."

"Okay, come on kid…let's leave the Captain in peace."

Rusty thanked her before walking away. "You know if you want, the kid can stay with me tonight…give you some peace and quiet tonight."

"You wouldn't mind?"

"Of course not, it's been a rough few days…especially on you. Don't worry he'll be fine and I'll make sure to have him back by 12pm at the latest tomorrow, you have a lie in."

"Thank you."

"Night Captain."

Andy was making his way along the corridor as Rusty and the others headed his way.

"Where are you lot off too?"

Provenza allowed Sanchez and Buzz to follow in with Rusty, so that he wouldn't hear.

"Look, I thought I'd give the Captain a break tonight. She hasn't had the best week and I think she could use a break for the evening. I offered to take Rusty out for burgers and he's staying at mine for the evening. She needs some downtime."

"Did you hear her in the interview today, when she told the Mother what he's done to her Daughter…I thought she was gonna break down there and then."

"Hey the Captain's a professional, having said that I think she could use a shoulder tonight."

"What me?"

"Take her out for a drink or something; get her to open up about today…she needs too. She's too good a hiding her emotions and it's not good for her."

"Okay you're starting to scare me now, since when do you care about Sharon."

"Since she put that bastard behind bars and made him pay for what he did to his little girl and besides, I didn't think you'd refuse a chance a taking her out."

"I didn't say I wouldn't, I'm just surprised you suggested it that's all. So you're having the kid all night."

"Hey now look, don't go getting any ideas. I said take her out for a drink; cheer her up…that's all."

"I'm just asking."

"Just go will you."

Sharon was just putting on her jacket when Andy appeared in the doorway, a sympathetic look on his face.

"Andy, I thought you'd gone."

"I was taking the evidence bags back down stairs; I saw Rusty leave with Provenza and the guys?"

"Yes, he offered to take Rusty for the evening."

"You're winning him over."

"It's only taken me 2 years." She smiled.

"Nah, I think you managed it long before now, he just doesn't like to show it. Listen I was thinking, seeing as you're on your own tonight…why don't I take you out for dinner and drinks."

"What, oh Andy you really don't have to do that. It's your weekend off, don't you have something else you'd much rather be doing that spending the evening with your Boss."

He took a small step closer to her and laid a gentle hand on her arm.

"Sharon, you're not just our Boss okay….you're our friend and we care about you and besides, I'd much rather spend the evening with you….shall we."

He offered his arm to her and she took it without fuss as they made their way out of the building. Making their way down to the car park, Andy saw Sharon shiver from the cold air, he removed his jacket and placed it protectively around her shoulders.

"Thank you."

"Don't mention it, now where would you like to go huh?"

"Oh, I don't really know. Where do you normally go to relax?"

"Well there's a small Italian place I know a few blocks from here Carlo's, they do a great carbonara."

"Why don't we just go there then?"

"Okay then, your carriage awaits."

Sharon got in to the passengers side as Andy drove them over to the restaurant, he put on some soft jazz music to try to get her to relax a little.

"Oh my, I didn't know you were a Sarah Vaughan fan."

"I love her music, her voice is very soothing."

"I agree, how many years have we worked together and I never knew."

"I'm a man of many surprises."

"I'm beginning to see that."

She lay her head back against the head rest and closed her eyes, letting the music invade every part of her, she hummed along every now and again. Andy glanced over when he heard her and couldn't help smiling, he wanted so much to reach over and take hold of her hand in that moment.

Buzz and Julio were playing at the foosball while they waited for their burgers, Provenza looked over at Rusty who was swirling his milkshake around in the glass.

"Rusty, just drink it, don't play with it."

"What, oh sorry."

"What's wrong?"

"Is Sharon okay, she seemed kinda off earlier?"

"It's just been a long week for the Team, a bit of a tough case."

"She never really talks about her cases much but sometimes I see the evidence stuff on the board."

"Well you would."

"I saw it today, the pictures of that little kid."

"Rusty…"

"Who did that to her?"

"The Captain wouldn't want me talking about this with you."

"Come on Lieutenant…you know Sharon never will. I worry about her sometimes and how can I help her out if I don't know what the hell's going on."

"Rusty, if the Captain wants you to know then she'll tell you but I'm sorry…I can't be the one to discuss it with you."

"Fine." He grumbled.

"Here you go boys, enjoy."

The waitress placed the plates in front of them. "Come on you too, foods up." Provenza yelled over to Buzz and Julio.

Rusty began to eat but couldn't stop thinking about Sharon and the worried look she was showing earlier.

To Be Continued….