Thanks for all the reviews! They motivated me to keep working.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Andy called from the bedroom.
"Yes! Besides, I already have half my face on so there's no going back!" Sharon answered from the bathroom where she was doing her makeup.
"Well if nothing else it's going to surprise a lot of people," he came and leaned in the doorway, his costume all ready.
"Wow you look great! Want a kiss?" Sharon leaned over and puckered her lips.
"I think I'll pass," he laughed as she fake pouted and finished up with the face paint. She shook her hair out and grabbed the rest of her accessories.
"Ready!" She exclaimed.
"I hope no one in your building sees us. We look a little crazy being dressed up a week early."
Sharon waved his concern away, "The people who know me know I'm a police officer and have weird hours. They people who don't... Oh well!"
He laughed at the carefree attitude she had that was so different than normal.
"You seem really excited."
"Andy I love holidays and parties, and especially holiday parties!"
"I know. It's cute to see you like this."
She scrunched her nose at him calling her cute but didn't say anything.
On the ride to the PAB they joked and tried to predict how the rest of the team pulled off their costumes. Andy pulled into a parking spot and they noticed Chuck and Amy walking across the garage. Sharon got out and called, "Amy! Or should I say Dorothy!" They walked to catch up with the pair and they all checked out each other's costumes. Amy made a perfect Dorothy, down to a basket with a stuffed dog. She laughed as she helped Sharon put on her hat. "Wow, Captain, you went all out! Green skin and everything."
"Go big or go home! And you can call me Sharon, technically we're off duty. That or the Wicked Witch!"
Amy laughed and nodded. "Can you guys tell what Chuck is?"
"A ghostbuster!" Andy said.
"Ah yeah," Chuck offered him a fist bump. "And just so you know, if you two are trying to be discrete… well you failed," he gestured to their costumes. Andy shrugged, the wings of his flying monkey costume following.
"We already reported to Taylor," Sharon said, "And pretty much everyone knows. The rumor mill is so bad."
"You don't have to tell me," Amy said as she pushed open the door to the gym. Chuck gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and a "See ya later" as he went to find the rest of SIS. While it was a department party, the divisions pretty much stuck together. This made finding the rest of their team pretty easy.
They were sitting around a table, and Sharon spotted Buzz first because of the light reflecting off his tin man costume. He had painted his face perfectly, and it was a much better look than the green dye from a couple Christmases ago. He was busy talking with Mike, who was almost unrecognizable in a blonde wig. He stood up when he saw them, showing off his suit complete with an emerald vest and pinstripe pants. Behind him was Provenza, already nursing a drink under his scarecrow hat. He had forgone face paint, but had little pieces of straw sticking out of his green sweater. Julio came and sat beside him, his tail dragging on the floor. He shook his head to get his unruly mane away from his mouth so he could drink his water.
Sharon beamed as she took a seat. "Wow, everyone! Great job all around!" Indeed, the team had pulled off the ensemble very well.
"Oh, Captain. I have something for you," everyone looked at Provenza, confused. He hardly every gave anyone anything. He reached under the table and pulled out a wooden broom with old, tattered bristles. He handed it to her and smirked, looking at Andy. "She needed a broom."
Everyone erupted in laughter, remembering a similar conversation from years ago. Sharon took it as she rolled her eyes at the lieutenant. She smiled brightly, though, excited to see what the night had in store.
TBC