Many thanks to the following people thekittenizzy cloudsofgreen erica2401 inlovewithlove93 mullallygurl jacilenemns natprof beatriz1980 irish20 moxiesdenlovesshandy therainsofparis ck2143 maxip99 maddie0894. If I've left anyone out, my apologies.

…

Chapter 2

…

Andrea was standing by her car at the beginning of the following week, a few messages coming through on her cell about her current case. She looked up when she heard the clicking of heels coming her way to see Sharon making her way over to her. Andrea put her cell away before looking up and smiling towards her friend.

"Hey, I thought you'd backed out or something?"

"My apologies Andrea, I got caught up in a meeting with Chief Howard."

"Nothing wrong is there?"

"Not at all, he just wanted an update on our case."

Andrea could see the worried look on Sharon's face, stepping forward and taking hold of her hand.

"Hey come on, don't be nervous. They'll probably just tell you that you're doing too much, which we know already."

"More than likely."

"We better get in there, we don't want to be late."

Sharon could on nod as she followed Andrea in to the medical centre, stepping in to the elevator that would take them to their required floor. The silence was almost deafening as Andrea glanced towards Sharon who appeared to be in her own little world, so many scenarios likely running through her mind. Sharon jumped as the doors opened, following Andrea along the corridor. Andrea held the door open for her friend, before she found them both a seat while Sharon checked in at reception.

…

Andrea could see Sharon fidgeting with her ring, the nervousness evident on her face, while her other hand had a hold of Andrea's. Reaching across, she squeezed Sharon's hand, and offered a small smile.

"Honey, don't be nervous. I'll be with you every step of the way."

"I'm not nervous, who said I was nervous?"

"Well, you've held on to my hand for the last half hour with a death grip and haven't once let go."

"Oh god…"

"Like I said, I'll be right by your side."

Sharon gave her a warm smile before looking up when she heard someone call out her name, to see her doctor Trisha Lambert watching her.

"Well this is me."

"I'll wait here for you."

"Thank you Andrea, and not just for today."

"Go on, the sooner you're in there, the sooner it will be over, good luck."

Sharon got up and walked towards Trisha as Andrea picked up a magazine to occupy her time while she waited.

Sharon sat across from Trisha in her office as the other woman scanned her medical file.

"Okay Sharon, so…what seems to be the problem then?"

"It's nothing really, it's just…well lately I've been feeling run down, tired, sometimes nauseous."

"Okay, are you eating fine?"

"Yes."

"How's work?"

"Work's, it's normal, busy."

"How busy is busy?"

"You know what it's like, cases get on top of you, you work longer hours."

Trisha got up and signalled for Sharon to get up on to the examination table.

"Roll up your sleeve for me, I'm going to take your blood pressure and I'll take some blood, get it sent off."

Sharon did as she was asked, watching Trish as she squeezed the machine ever few seconds, her features changing as she looked at the result before taking of the strap.

"Well?"

"Your blood pressure's a little high, of course given that you're over worked won't help. I'm just going to take some blood."

Sharon closed her eyes as Trisha wet cotton pad over her arm before she felt the needle enter it, she hissed a little, never being a fan of needles.

"There you go, all done. You can step down now."

Sharon rolled down her sleeve before retaking her seat at the desk, as Trisha placed the sample in a tube.

"How long with the results take?"

"A few days, and in the meantime, I'm going to sign you off for a few days."

"What, no you can't."

"Sharon you…"

"I've told you how busy it is right now, I can't afford to take time off now. I have a murder case on."

"Yes you have a murder case and if I try to sign you off in a week, it will be another case. It will always be something and until I know exactly what's wrong with you, you're going to take a few days to get your energy back."

"Trisha I…"

"Sharon, you can't control everything. Are you seriously telling me that there is no other officer who can take charge, even for just a few days?"

"Well…"

"Don't lie to me."

"There is Lieutenant Provenza I suppose."

"Good, well then he can run the place while you rest."

"Is it really necessary?"

"Do you want me to make it a week? I'm not kidding, because I'll do it?"

"A few days is fine, thank you."

"Good, now go home, relax. Meet up with friends, have lunch. Enjoy some me time, for once and I'll call you when I have your result, okay."

"Fine, thank you Trisha."

"See you soon."

Sharon could only smile as she got up and made her way out of the office, leaning against the wall, sighing at the thought of not working.

…

Andrea looked up when Sharon approached her, seeing the annoyed look on her face.

"How did it go?"

"Let's get out of here."

Andrea got up, quickly following Sharon out and in to the elevator.

"What happened?"

"She's signed me off for a few days."

"Okay…and that's a bad thing?"

"Andrea, I can't afford to take time off. We're so busy and we don't have Andy right now and…"

"Okay stop, she wouldn't have ordered it if you didn't need it, and my god do you need it. Maybe the reason you're feeling so run down is because you are doing too much. You said yourself, there's no Andy right now and…"

"And now no me."

"They'll handle it, you have a good team and Provenza enjoys it when he's in charge, let him have a few days to boss everyone around, he deserves it." She grinned.

"What am I supposed to do, just sit at home?"

"Sometimes, that's the best medicine. Look I have the day off tomorrow, why don't we do something? Shopping, lunch, it will take your mind off Major Crimes."

"That's what Trisha said."

"Well then listen to her, she's the doctor, she knows what she's talking about. Come on, have lunch with me, let's have a day just for us. We haven't been out in ages?"

"Oh alright." Sharon smiled.

"Great, I'll pick you up about eleven."

"Eleven it is, Andrea…thank you for being here today."

"What will you tell Andy?"

"That I'm taking a few days off."

"Will you tell him about the doctor?"

"No, at least not yet. There's no point in worrying him if I don't need too."

"Fine, I won't say a word."

"You're a good friend Andrea."

"You're welcome."

…

To Be Continued…