AN: Thank you for the reviews and follows. There will be one more chapter to this story.
Sharon's POV. Song selection Nora Jones "Come Away With Me." Waltz reference comes from Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries (great show, excellent costumes & fabulous couple to ship).
The night continued in a happy blur. Nicole danced with her father, Dean with his mother. The bridal party gave their toasts and the band played on. Sharon sat at the back of the room not wanting to bring any attention to her presence as she watched the scenes unfold before her. Dean and Nicole walked through the guests saying their hello's, thank you's, and well wishes for the future. Andy spoke with Dean's parents with a smile on his face. Sharon grinned when she caught his eye from across the room. She really did love everything about weddings, they were so full of love and hope. They brought a ray of light to the dark corners of the world that she faced every day. Her mind drifted back to the case they closed hours earlier. She knew Mateo's father was upset, but she never dreamed he would come back with a gun. Everything about that case was beyond sad and it made her worry even more about Rusty.
"A penny for your thoughts?" A thick voice said pulling her back out of the darkness.
"Hmm, not those thoughts. Not tonight." She paused, "You looked quite handsome out their dancing with Nicole. I didn't know you had those moves in you."
He laughed, "My mother and grandmother insisted on the lessons. We may not have come up from money, but she expected two things good manners and how to be good to a lady."
She smiled in response but said nothing.
He put his hand out, "Would you care to accompany me?"
He could tell by the look on her face that she was surprised, but quickly schooled her expression and placed her hand in his. He wrapped his arm around hers in a swift movement that also caught her off guard as they moved towards the dance floor. The music had calmed from the fast paced tunes to a soft mellow glow that filled the room. When they reached the wood floor Andy twirled her out away from him and back in, pulling her close. Her eyes looked up at him in amusement as he slid his hand to the small of her back, keeping things respectable.
He put out his arm and began to lead her in a delicate waltz. She turned up to look at him, keeping her shoulders pressed back "You know the waltz is a very serious dance."
His eyes burned into hers as he spoke. "It's a good thing I'm a serious man."
Her head tilted as they continued to move effortlessly across the room, "My mother fell for my father after she was waltzed."
"Hmm, and how about you Sharon?" He asked as they spun together.
Perhaps I am too. She wanted to kiss him, but knew this was neither the time nor the place for such intimacy. To everyone in the room she was 'my friend Sharon' not the sometimes friend with benefits or best-friend as she had come to feel towards him. She allowed herself to feel herself in his arms, the swift but light moves across the floor, and how the world around them seemed to disappear. She felt herself getting lost in his dark eyes. After what felt to be an endless moment the music ended and she heard clapping. A bit startled she looked over Andy's shoulder and noticed that everyone had formed a circle around them, staring at the two of them dance together. She felt her cheeks growing warm and flush from the attention.
Andy ever the gentleman spun her out into the middle, bowed and joined the crowd clapping for her. Feeling embarrassed she gave a nod of thanks and reached out for Andy's hand. He pulled her back and the band began playing again as the couples regrouped and began dancing once again. They stood still. She wasn't sure what to say or do at that moment, she felt overcome with feelings that she hadn't expected. Andy stared back at her and she felt him tug her arm as they moved through the crowd and out to the patio. The blast of cold air was more welcoming than she anticipated, she put her hands to her cheeks and felt how warm they were.
She kept her eyes trained off into the darkness, unsure of what might happen if she looked at him right now, "Remind me to send a thank you note to your mother."
She heard him chuckle behind her, "I'm sure she would appreciate it."
They stood in silence, listening to the music and enjoying the cool air. She felt her body begin to cool off from the intense heat she felt minutes ago and the change caused her to shiver. His warm body backed into hers and his arms wrapped around her. She sighed deeply, taking in his scent, his presence against her. She felt safe and happy and loved. Love, where did that come from. Before she couldn't think anymore Andy placed a kiss behind her ear and she felt a different kind of chill vibrate throughout her body.
It had been awhile since they had shared a bed together. When she was promoted they decided for the good of the team to put a halt to their extra-curricular activities. With Rusty in the mix it just added to the complications between them, but she found herself missing this. Missing the closeness she felt when he held her. When he kissed her she melted, she couldn't imagine being anywhere else but in his arms.
She felt Andy turn her around to face him and she bowed her head. She wasn't sure what he felt about her, if it was just physical or not. She couldn't meet his eyes, she knew that she could fall into bed with him, but she found herself wanting more. Not wanting to risk losing herself or heart she kept her eyes averted as he lifted her chin.
"Sharon." He whispered into her ear.
"Andy, I can't…I'm sorry." Her voice broke as she shook her head and tried to pull away from him.
He held onto her tightly, "You can't what." She didn't respond. "Sharon, please look at me."
She reluctantly lifted her head letting her wet eyes meet his dark chocolate eyes that seemed to look at her more deeply than anyone else ever could. Already beginning to not trust herself she kept her head held high but lowered her eyes from his gaze. "I think I should go check on Rusty."
"Provenza has Rusty tonight," he paused "Sharon, he's fine. Please talk to me."
Sharon steeled herself, straightening her back in an effort to bring confidence, "I just need a minute. Why don't you go inside, it looks like the bride and groom are getting ready to leave." Forcing a smile to her face she met his eyes again, wanting to encourage him that she would be fine. Andy looked inside and noticed that she was right, everyone was gathering by the exit.
"Okay, but please don't go anywhere. I'll be right back." He leaned down and placed a light kiss on her cheek and walked back inside.
Sharon let out a deep breath she didn't know she had been holding. I love weddings. She shook her head frustrated with herself. What did you think was going to happen here tonight? That he'd realize that he loved you too? Her hands flew to her mouth, agape from the surprise of what she just admitted to herself. Turning her back from the happy scene inside she moved into the darkness unsure of what to do. She loved Andy.
