Andy couldn't wait to get home and have Sharon all to himself. He had to make amends and he was ready to do whatever it took for her to forgive him. Mason sent Major Crimes home so all the necessary repairs could be made and Andy called Rusty to meet him and Sharon for a hamburger. Rusty wanted to come to the station as soon as he heard about the explosion, but it wasn't safe so he called every five minutes to check on Sharon. They agreed to take him out to his favourite burger place because going out for hamburgers would mean they were ok and Sharon needed her son to believe that she and Andy were fine. Riding to Rusty's favourite burger place Andy held Sharon's hand and kissed it randomly. She didn't pull it out of his soft grip, but she also said nothing and refused to look at him.
''I'd do it again and I don't care that you're mad at me. I could have lost you and that is not and never will be an option. I love you, Sharon'' he pulled over and caught her completely off guard. She could feel his grip tighten and when she finally looked at him his look broke her heart.
''I love you too'' Sharon hugged him and felt Andy relax. Before she could say anything else, she heard someone eagerly trying to open the door on her side.
''Mom...'' Rusty scanned her clothes for any sign of injuries, eyes wide open and holding his breath.
''Rusty, I'm fine...oh'' she smiled when her son pulled her into a tight embrace.
''Thank God'' he finally exhaled ''Andy, are you ok?'' he frowned seeing Andy's eyes a bit red and watery.
''We're ok, kiddo. And very hungry'' Andy wanted to ease the lingering tension. Rusty tried not to ask for too many details about the explosion or Ortiz because he could tell they were shaken up even though they were trying really hard to act normal.
''I'll call Andrea and ask her if I can go home with you'' he took his phone.
''You have to help her close the case and we really are ok. It's nothing sleep won't fix and we are planning on turning in early. I'm sure Gus would appreciate you spending the evening with him. You've been very busy lately'' Sharon nodded smiling.
''Gus is in Napa'' Rusty started picking on the salad in his hamburger.
''What happened? Did you two break up?''Andy didn't mean to sound rude and Rusty knew that, but Sharon still narrowed her eyes at him.
''No. We decided to try a long distance relationship. Gus says it will make us stronger, but I don't see how not being together could bring us closer. Anyway, there will be weekend and holiday flights to Napa and LA'' Rusty smiled sourly.
'' You know what they say'' Andy started.
''About absence making hearts go stronger? Yeah, I usually pump myself up with cheesy lyrics'' Rusty smiled ''But I appreciate you trying to cheer me up''.
''What changed your mind about Gus going to Napa?'' Sharon tilted her head and both her son and her fiancé knew she was trying to figure out if Rusty was really ok with Gus leaving him behind.
''I met his boss. He is a very successful and a very handsome jerk'' Rusty rolled his eyes.
''Rusty…'' Sharon sighed shaking her head.
''He's also right. Gus is good at what he does and his job shouldn't suffer because of his needy boyfriend'' Rusty pushed away the tray with his hamburger.
''The guy told you that? That's a bit rude'' Andy frowned.
''Yeah, but I guess I needed that mental slap to realize he was right. He'll probably try to seduce Gus, but I trust my boyfriend. We'll be ok'' Rusty didn't sound convinced, but they decided not to push it so they both just nodded.
''Rusty, that was very mature of you. I'm proud of you'' Sharon winked at him.
''I hope Gus is proud of me too'' Rusty knitted his eyebrows as if he seriously doubting it.
''I'm sure he is'' Andy nodded seriously and took a sip of his ice tea.
''Enough about that. Mom, are you sure you're ok?'' Rusty asked for the hundredth time since they sat in their booth.
''Yeah. I just inhaled some smoke. I just need a long bath and some sleep'' Sharon exhaled and slumped her shoulders.
''Andy?'' Rusty quirked his eyebrow at him.
''I'll call you if we need anything, don't worry'' Andy nodded.
''Ok. See you later then'' Rusty got up and gave his mother a quick hug.
''See you'' Sharon smiled and waved to her son. She got up and Andy followed taking a deep breath, knowing the ride home would be quiet. Still, he again didn't let go of Sharon's hand or miss an opportunity to kiss it. Sharon was still ignoring him, but he accepted the challenge and by the time they reached the 11th floor he devised a tactical plan to woo her off of her feet. The moment the door to their condo closed he pulled Sharon into a kiss that made her knees weak. He poured everything he had into it; fear, love, passion, relief, desire and some more love. Sharon shivered for a second because she wasn't expecting such a kiss. Andy thought she'll stop him, but she wrapped her arms around him and finally relaxed. Both breathing deeply, they just stood in the hall and held each other tight for a long moment.
''I love you'' Andy whispered kissing her forehead.
''I love you too'' Sharon kissed him softly and smiled.
''Like I said, we need to discuss your behaviour'' he got serious ''Join me in my office''.
''Your office?'' Sharon frowned and she was adorable.
''The bedroom'' Andy opened the door for her.
''Yes, sir'' she rolled her eyes at him. Sitting on the bed with her he kissed her hands and took a deep breath ''I know you can't predict or choose situations you get yourself into, but no more running into explosive scenes or getting punched by suspects, ok?'' he rose his eyebrows expecting her to agree with him.
''Andy...'' Sharon sighed loudly. She knew he wanted her to be safe at work, but safety was never associated with their job and they were both more than aware of that.
''I'm not done. Starting next month I'm back in the street'' Andy rose his hands seeing Sharon was about to lecture him on the risks of being a cop. He knew that and he knew Sharon would never sit out a case, but he also didn't want her to put herself in harm's way no matter how brilliant her plan to catch a suspect might be.
''I said you can come back in three months'' Sharon narrowed her eyes at him because she didn't want him to think she won't punish him for going after Ortiz.
''Too bad, I'm going back in a month because the doctor cleared me for full duty the day before yesterday and I don't want to be the water boy anymore'' Andy shook his head. He couldn't believe the whole team treated him like a patient and wouldn't let him go with them to a crime scene or a stakeout, but they had no trouble leaving piles of files on his desk ''just to keep him occupied''.
''Why didn't you tell me?'' Sharon tilted her head, half curious half relieved.
''There was no time with everything going on with Ortiz and Stroh. On the other hand…''Andy slowly laid her on the bed ''Now I can finally show you how ready I am to go back to full duty'' he started kissing her and he was adorable.
''Andy...honey...'' Sharon tried to stop him because she knew she won't be able to resist him much longer and any coherent thought she'd have on the subject would disappear into thin air.
''I'm fine'' Andy nuzzled her nose and kissed it.
''But your blood pressure is still high some days and…'' Sharon couldn't stop worrying about him and he cut her off with a deep kiss.
''Anything you say or do will be used against you in our bed. I strongly advise you to shut up because the more you talk the more I'll kiss you'' Andy smiled against her lips.
''Promise?'' Sharon bit her lip and his eyes lit up.
''Oh, the amount of trouble you're in'' Andy grinned capturing Sharon's lips in another deep kiss. He missed her sweet moans and smiled when she pulled him closer because she loved the feeling of his chest against hers.
''I'm proud of you'' Andy nuzzled her nose'' And I also think you'd be an excellent Assistant Chief. Mason's good, but you'd be much better.
''Thank you. And no thank you. Assistant Chief has tons of paperwork to do and I like fieldwork. What?'' Sharon frowned when he felt her forehead with his palm.
''You just said you like fieldwork. You really inhaled lots of smoke''Andy laughed when she poked him in the ribs.
''I love my job in Major Crimes and I like the team'' Sharon pretended she was pouting.
''The whole team? No favourites?'' Andy propped his head on his palm.
''Like who?'' she bit her lip again.
''Oh, I don't know. There's that tall silver fox. Heard he's into you'' Andy wiggled his eyebrows making her giggle.
''You mean the desk monkey who just pulled the most stupid thing going after a bomber alone?'' Sharon snorted.
''You're still mad at me?'' Andy thought his kisses made her forgive him.
''Of course I'm mad at you, Andy. You turned a life-threatening situation into...what did you call it? A walk across the street'' Sharon shivered to the thought of Ortiz shooting Andy or taking him with him if he jumped off the building.
''You're right. I shouldn't have left you at the station or let you go to that cemetery without me'' Andy looked away feeling ashamed and mad at himself.
''No, honey. I didn't mean it that way'' Sharon sighed sadly seeing how hurt he looked ''Andy, look at me. I know you would've done everything to save me and the team. If it weren't for you today we'd..'' she wanted to tell him he was in fact her hero.
''Can we please stop talking about it? I just want to be with you and not think about anything but us'' he distracted her drawing patterns over her stomach with his index finger.
''Of course'' Sharon smiled ''I missed you'' she ran fingers through his hair and he cuddled into her palm.
''I missed you too. Very much'' Andy started kissing her again and when he got his hand under her shirt to cup her breast she winced.
''I'm fine. Guess I'm still a bit jumpy from the explosion'' Sharon gulped and it was obvious she was in pain.
''Jumpy?'' Andy arched his eyebrows and slowly unbuttoned her shirt ''Oh, God'' he saw the purple and green bruise under her left breast.
''That was not there earlier today'' Sharon shook her head in disbelief cringing at the sight of her bruised skin.
''Your ribs probably cracked when you landed on the floor after the bomb went off but I guess you did feel any pain until now because of the adrenaline. I guess my weight caused the bruising'' Andy shook his head mad at himself for being so reckless around her. Paramedics checked on everyone at the station and Sharon said she was fine. Andy believed her, but he forgot how adrenaline can buffer the pain away when a person gets injured.
''Andy, it's probably just a bruise, not a broken rib. See, it's just…'' Sharon tried to lift her left arm and the quick move made her whimper in pain.
''Come on, we're going to the hospital'' Andy sat up and slowly pulled her with him.
''No way. I'll put an ice pack on it and I'll be fine…'' Sharon tried to smile.
''Maybe in three to six weeks'' Andy snorted and got up ''Let's go''.
''You can't make me'' Sharon remained sitting on the bed.
''I'll carry you to the hospital if I have to'' Andy crossed his arms and shoved his fist under his biceps to show her he was really ready to carry her to the hospital.
''I'll put up a fight'' Sharon swallowed a smile seeing Andy standing in front of her like a club bouncer.
''I'd like to see those tiny fists in the air'' Andy rubbed his chin like he was expecting her to actually punch him in the face.
''Rude'' Sharon stood up slowly and made a sour face.
''You're cute when you're mad at me'' Andy batted her lashes at her.
''Andy'' Sharon wanted to be angry with him, but she knew he was teasing her only to cheer her up and she couldn't love him more for it.
''I'll shut up if you start walking'' he opened the bedroom door and offered her his hand. An x-ray showed two broken ribs and the doctor estimated Sharon should fully recover in three weeks. He prescribed her some painkillers and instructed Andy to buy some support pillows because Sharon had to sleep in an elevated position.
''This sucks. Three weeks of none to light physical activities'' Sharon puffed when they got home from the hospital.
''I know. But look at it this way - you'll have time to adjust to your new job. Besides, with all the paperwork you have to do you won't have time to run up and down the station and gruesome crime scenes. It could be like a mini vacation'' he nodded.
''I suppose you're happy I'll be stuck at the office?'' Sharon sighed.
''I am because you could use a break. I'm not happy about shoving ice cubes into my sleeping pants for the next three weeks'' Andy undressed her with his eyes and she blushed.
''I'm sure I won't be needing much help. It's just...'' Sharon tried to unbutton her shirt, but she managed to undo just the last two buttons before the pain made her bite her lip.
''You were saying?'' Andy shook his head.
''Ok, maybe I'll need some help now and then...'' Sharon stuttered, not willing to concede defeat.
''How about now?'' Andy stepped closer watching her trying to raise her left arm and failing to do so as the pain almost made her cry.
''I just need to...Damn it'' she fumbled with her shirt, so frustrated she was willing to tear it off of her.
''Ok, Superwoman. Let's go'' Andy unbuttoned her shirt.
''Where are we going?'' Sharon finally looked at him, confused and frustrated.
''To shower and then to bed'' Andy nodded and undid her belt.
''You'll have to...'' Sharon gulped shivering.
''Undress you and wash your body. Yeah...what have I done to deserve such penance?'' Andy sighed grinning.
''Get that grin off of your face or you'll be sleeping on the sofa'' Sharon narrowed her eyes at him.
''Oh, my love. But who would help you in and out of bed? Dress you and make your meals? Drive you to work and carry your bag? Undress you and take care of your needs?'' Andy batted his lashes at her.
''Shut up'' Sharon sighed giving up on trying to undress herself.
''Yes, M'am'' Andy nodded ''Here we go. Tell me if it hurts or you get tired'' he softly ordered.
''Let's do this'' Sharon nodded seriously.
''I'm helping you take a shower, it's not a tactical operation'' Andy sounded a bit hurt by the lack of her enthusiasm about showering with him.
''I'm sorry, honey. I hate that I got to be a burden'' Sharon moaned silently.
''Don't you ever think or say that again. Is that understood?'' Andy's eyes turned a shade darker and she knew she hurt his pride and feelings.
''Yes. I'll shut up now'' she lowered her head watching him take her clothes off.
''Good call'' Andy snapped at her and took a deep breath to calm down because the last thing he wanted to do was to argue about the ''in sickness and in health'' part of their relationship. He slowly undid her bra and let it slide down her shoulders. Taking her pants and panties off he inhaled deeply because he was kneeling in front of his naked fiancée and she was gorgeous even with a nasty bruise under her left breast. Fighting the urge to kiss every inch of her body, just to make sure she was really ok and to kiss the pain away, Andy opened the shower door and adjusted the water temperature so the warmth wouldn't cause Sharon too much pain when it hits her tensed muscles. He closed the glass door when she got in to give her time to relax under the soft splashes of water while he took his clothes off. Sharon closed her eyes and enjoyed the warm water washing the tension and some pain away. She smiled feeling Andy's lips against hers and blushed when she saw him standing naked before her.
''Hi, I'm Andy and I'll be taking care of your gorgeous body for the next three weeks. Feel free to admire my features and praise my nursing skills'' he winked ''Now turn around'' he nodded and Sharon obeyed. He soaped her body gently massaging her thighs, calves and shoulders.
''That feels so good'' Sharon practically purred when Andy massaged her scalp shampooing her hair ''Thank you'' she smiled.
''Sharon'' Andy sighed letting her know she didn't have to thank him for taking care of her.
''Sorry'' she apologized and he felt her relaxing under his soft touch. He was so gentle it warmed her heart.
''There, all done'' he wrapped her in a soft towel and helped her out of the shower. He always wanted to dry her hair and run his finers through her thick auburn locks and Sharon enjoyed the feeling of his fingers gently scratching her scalp, making her feel tingly. Dressing her in a buttoned up nightie he arranged the pillows for her and tucked her in
''Are you comfortable?'' he helped her climb to bed.
''Yes'' Sharon nodded smiling.
''Sleepy?'' he nuzzled her nose.
''Oh, yes'' Sharon felt sleep creeping up on her.
''Let's call it a day'' Andy nodded and she kissed him.
''Yes, please'' Sharon sank a bit into her pillows.
''Are you trying to get on my good side?'' Andy arched his eyebrow.
''Is it working?'' Sharon tried to make him smile because she didn't want them to go to sleep mad at each other.
''Maybe'' Andy finally smiled at her.
''I'm sorry for what I said about being a burden'' Sharon plucked on the covers.
''I felt the same after the blood clot surgery''Andy turned to her and slumped his shoulders.
''I really wanted to spend some time with you not thinking about possible terrorist threats, vindictive ex-cons or Stroh. I just wanted to be Sharon the fiancée'' Sharon really wanted to spend some quality alone time with Andy. Just watching TV together, with his arms around her and her head on his shoulder, meant a lot to both of them. Cuddle time and spontaneous make-out sessions were their favourite pastime and they were really looking forward to that. And now they had to wait for another three weeks.
''Sharon the fiancée sounds so...girly'' Andy teased.
''Don't make me laugh. It hurts'' Sharon tried to stifle a giggle but failed.
''Sorry my love. If we manage to catch a break after you recover I'd like to spend time with girly Sharon. I love all of you'' he kissed her cheeks.
''Really?'' Sharon batted her lashes at him.
''I like Sharon the Commander... she's a bad-ass. I enjoy watching Sharon the mother because I get to see how much she loves those amazing kids she raised on her own. My favourite is Sharon the woman. She's gorgeous...funny...smart...sassy...and simply adorable when she's blushing'' Andy punctuated his words with kisses and Sharon smiled kissing him back painfully slowly, enjoying the sound of muffled groans coming from the back of his throat.
''I don't blush'' she rolled her eyes at him.
''You're right. You just can't take a compliment'' Andy giggled at her expression.
''Not from you'' she muttered under her breath, but he heard her.
''Why?'' Andy propped himself up on his elbow smiling the smile that made her insides jello.
''Because you look at me like that'' Sharon pointed at his look circling the air with her finger.
''Like what?'' Andy played innocent.
''Like there's more to those compliments than you're saying'' Sharon sighed annoyed.
''There usually is'' Andy chuckled.
''See? How am I supposed to know what you mean when you pay me a compliment?'' her eyebrows reached her hair line as she saw Andy grinning.
''Well princess, it's usually something in the line of this...'' Andy leaned in and kissed her passionately being careful not to land on her and cause her any pain.
''Wow...'' Sharon whispered against his lips when they had to break the kiss for air. He really took her breath away, but she wasn't innocent either, taking the opportunity to thank him for being so sweet and trying to act cool when she knew he was still a bit frightened and frustrated about the whole situation.
'I'll be paying you lots of compliments in the next three weeks'' he warned her.
''And after I get better?'' Sharon asked playfully.
''I'll explain the subtext extensively to make sure you understood them properly'' Andy was serious and he was sexy when he was serious.
''Can't wait'' Sharon finally found a position comfortable enough for her to relax.
''Me too. Let's get some sleep'' Andy tucked them in.
''Oh, my uniform...'' Sharon remembered she was supposed to wear a uniform to work.
''It will be laid out for you on the bed in the morning, Commander'' Andy saluted.
''You won't tell anyone about this if it's not necessary?'' Sharon refused to say the words ''broken ribs'' as if not saying them would make them heal faster.
''Sharon…''Andy couldn't believe she was actually asking him not to tell anyone she got hurt in the explosion. The doctor said the bruising made Sharon's condition seem worse than it really was and Sharon was satisfied with his diagnosis, but Andy wasn't and he definitely didn't think it should be a secret but there was no point in fighting his stubborn fiancée over that because if he were her he'd probably act the same.
''Please'' Sharon moaned and her eyes turned emerald green. He could never resist that look.
''Ok…'' Andy sighed and shook his head closing his eyes.
''Thank you. I love you'' Sharon squeezed his hand.
''I love you too'' he kissed hers and held it gently. Keeping a secret about his Commander's health and keeping his hands off of his fiancée made Andy realize Sharon's recovery was going to be long and hard for both of them.
