There is nothing worse than feeling helplessness. Sharon always found that the feeling was accompanied by paralyzing bouts of panic and a deep sense of desperation that seeped deep into her bones and made her feel faint. It clung to the edges of her stomach, making it clench painfully.

As she watched Andy being wheeled away to his surgery, she reached for the closest thing – Andrea's hand. The other woman squeezed her fingers gently, providing her a quiet but much needed support. It grounded her, distracted her enough so she could focus and blink her unshed tears away.

"Maybe it's for the best," Andrea spoke softly. "Maybe it just wasn't the right time to say it."

"I may never know," Sharon was barely able to conjure her voice. She felt terror taking power of her body, setting into every cell and making her breathing catch in her throat. She felt Andrea squeezing her hand again, this time tighter than before but it simply wasn't enough. She needed a stronger contact, more comfort. Almost instinctively, she wrapped her arms around the Andrea's shoulder and the other woman responded in kind.

"Andy is a bullheaded man, Sharon. If anyone can make it out of this situation, it's him, and you will get to say what you needed to say, in due time. And I'm sure," she paused and tightened her hold of Sharon. "I am sure that you'll get to hear him say the same thing back to you, and it will be an incredible moment for the both of you and a milestone in your relationship, you'll see." Sharon slowly pulled away and sighed.

"I'm sorry for being clingy today," she motioned between herself and Andrea. "I'm not really myself right now."

"Nonsense, that's what friends are for, Sharon. You can cling to me for as long as you need," Andrea responded and placed her hand on Sharon's shoulder, squeezing it and smiling at her friend affectionately.

"Thanks for understanding," Sharon smiled. "I appreciate your being here for me." Andrea smiled at her and shrugged her shoulders.

"I see your team started their Thanksgiving dinner without us, maybe we should join them, if you feel like it," she suggested.

"I don't feel very thankful right now," Sharon sighed.

"You will in a few hours, I'm sure," Andrea replied and her gaze softened. "And I'm sure if you eat something, your stomach will feel thankful. It's grumbling." Sharon brought one hand to rest on her stomach and rubbed it gently.

"I guess you're right," she said and her face became slightly flush. Between the case, the holiday preparations and Andy's surgery, she forgot to eat.

"Come on, let's feed you before you faint too," Andrea wrapped her arm around Sharon's shoulders and together, they walked towards the rest of the team. They smiled at her and Buzz handed her a plate full of food. As she ate, her gaze moved around the people surrounding her. She wasn't thankful for Andy's current situation. It made her sad and worried, but she was surrounded by a group of wonderful people who were funny and smart and caring. They were there not only for Andy, but also for her. They could have gone home to spend the holiday with their families, but they chose to stay and wait for news with her. Suddenly she realization struck her that even in the current situation, even though she felt overwhelmed and helpless and angry at herself for all the unsaid words, she was surrounded by family, and for that she was thankful. '

THE END

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