"Any luck?" Sharon asked as Mike, Julio and Buzz walked through the room, heading directly for the murder board.
"I've got the security footage that I need to start sorting through," Buzz replied and Sharon nodded, looking to Mike and Julio for any more information.
"Well, ma'am, it seemed as though nobody at the studio saw a thing. The last time Becca was seen, she was changing from her ballet slippers into her sneakers on a bench right inside of the door," Sharon nodded again, looking to Mike.
"One of her ballet slippers was still lying at the foot of the bench," Mike said sadly, hanging a picture of the slipper on the board, "But no sign of the other."
Sharon took a deep breath and looked at the board. So far they had a picture of Becca, a picture of Carol, a picture of a ballet slipper, and rough timeline from one to one fifteen, in which Becca went missing. "So," Sharon began, "First thing is first - we need to find that other ballet slipper. It could be key in leading us to Becca."
"Captain," Provenza interrupted, striding across the room, "We have dogs out searching a five mile radius, nothing yet."
"And the traffic stops we have set up haven't yielded any results, either," Amy added.
"What about her father? Do we know anything about him?" Andy asked, looking to Sharon for an answer.
"Lucy never talked about him," Sharon answered, "Carol said it was because he insisted he didn't want anything to do with a child and Lucy gave him the ultimatum. He chose to leave. I always thought it was something else, though. Lucy never did tell Carol who it was. She suspected it was someone she knew from college, but she wasn't sure."
"So, he knew he was going to have a child?" Andy asked, looking for clarification.
Sharon smiled sadly, "That's my understanding, yes. I don't know anything more, though."
"The grandmother didn't know much about him, either," Provenza chimed in, "All she could tell us was that he had never been a part of Becca's life."
Andy stood up from where he was leaning against his desk and walked toward the center of the room, "But he did know about her. He should be our number one suspect."
"Only problem is, we don't have any idea who he is," Sharon sighed.
"Well, we're detectives. We'll find out."
Sharon tugged her jacket closer around her, protecting herself from the cool air of the night. Andy was fumbling with his keys, trying to get the door open. "Don't be so nervous," Sharon spoke softly, trying to calm his nerves.
"I'm not nervous," he quickly defended himself.
"You sure seem like it to me," she smiled, watching his hands struggle with the task before him.
Andy finally managed to get his key into the lock, with a look of disappointment on his face.
"Its okay, I like it when you're nervous," Sharon smiled, accepting Andy's hand when he offered it to her. He walked with her through the door and directed her forward before stopping to lock the door behind him.
"Do you want a cup of tea?" he asked.
Sharon shook her head and shrugged off her jacket, looking completely defeated. "No, thanks. I just want to go to bed."
"Okay," Andy nodded, taking her hand again and leading her towards his bedroom. As they entered, he held onto her hand, but he wasn't sure what to do. He didn't want this to be a physically romantic night for them. Sharon was exhausted, and if he was being honest with himself, so was he.
Sharon could see the dilemma written across Andy's face. She stepped in front of him so she was facing him and placed her palm against his cheek. "You've got that nervous look, again," she smiled.
"I'm glad you're here," he turned his head to kiss her palm, "And that you trust me enough to let me be here for you." Sharon smiled and turned away, making her way to the side of the bed, kicking off her heels and slowly undoing the buttons on her blouse.
"Is this okay? Or do you take this side?" she asked, looking down at the bed.
"Its fine," he nodded, repeating her actions as he made his way to the opposite side of the bed. Andy quickly rid himself of his shirt and his pants, leaving him in a tee shirt and boxers. Sharon giggled quietly from across the bed. "What?"
"Nothing," she smiled and shook her head, shrugging out of her own blouse and laying it on the chair beside the bed. She unzipped her skirt and let it pool at her feet before stepping out of it, not caring if it was left on the floor. Slowly, she raised her head to see Andy's gaze burning onto her. She knew that neither of them meant for it to be a romantic night, but she couldn't help but see the desire in his eyes.
"You're beautiful," he whispered.
Sharon realized that it was the first time he had seen her like this. Things were still new in their relationship. They were taking things slow, not wanting to rush into anything. Somehow, though, he made her feel entirely comfortable, as though he had seen her like that before. "Thank you," she whispered back.
Andy pulled back the comforter and the sheets and sat down, patting the space beside him. Sharon sat down and swung her legs up. She rested her head against the pillow and let out a heavy sigh. Andy scooted towards her and wrapped an arm around her to that her body was snug against his. Sharon turned in his arms and rested her hand on his chest her forehead to his chin. He inhaled deeply, amazed that her hair could still smell like lilacs even at the end of their long day. He pressed a kiss to her forehead and wrapped his arms around her even tighter, afraid of losing her, afraid that she might run; he really didn't know. He was just amazed that she was with him at all.
"Thank you for this, Andy," she whispered against his neck.
"My pleasure," he spoke into her hair.
They laid together in companionable silence, their breathing becoming even and more relaxed. Andy drew lazy circles on Sharon's back, keeping her held close to him.
"I love you," she spoke softly into his chest, not knowing if he had heard her.
"I love you, too."
