Thanks to all who read and reviewed! For those who missed the BSG reference, it was the whole Sharon-keeping-names-in-her-pocket thing. Laura Roslin did the same following the destruction of the Olympic Carrier . . .
Anyway, here's the third time Sharon failed to keep a secret:
Three.
At first, he thought it was Amy Sykes. Besides the Captain, Sykes was the only other one new to the division, and he didn't know her all too well. As for Raydor, Tao had more or less worked with (or, when Brenda Leigh Johnson had been around, against) her for five years now, so he liked to think he knew her. Certainly he knew her well enough to conclude that she wasn't the one sexing it up around the office after hours. The Captain was by no means frigid, but she still played by her rulebook.
She probably wrote half those rules herself, he thought. Especially the no-fraternization one.
So it had to be Amy Sykes, right? Because someone had been screwing around, here – Tao could tell. People didn't think he caught on to these things (and alright, to be fair, he really hadn't caught on when it had been Gabriel and Daniels, that one time), but he did. He was a detective, after all. But this time, he thought he was actually the only one who could tell that there was something funny going on, here. Buzz was naïve like always; Provenza would've been the first to share his opinion on the matter if he knew – so obviously he didn't; Julio did his own thing (although it was entirely possible that he knew and just wasn't saying anything); and Flynn. . . Andy Flynn could actually be the other half of the issue. But he was good at hiding things when he wanted to, so maybe Tao was just crazy.
He wasn't.
He wheeled his chair over to Flynn's desk, searching for a report he needed for reference in order to finish his own. It was a Monday and a paperwork day – Andy told him he was welcome to just grab whatever he needed when he needed it. Andy was in the Captain's office, himself. Something about giving Rusty driving lessons.
Andy kept the usual things in his desk drawer – under the file, Tao found pens, pencils, Post-Its, paperclips, a beanbag (which Andy had never returned to the Captain) . . . and a lacy black slip of fabric. Women's underwear. He cringed and shut the drawer hastily, grabbing the file and wheeling back to his own desk. He was right! Although the idea was a little . . . unhygienic.
At his desk, Tao dispensed two pumps of hand sanitizer into his hands before getting back to his report.
Over the course of the day, Tao found himself glancing at Sykes every now and then, trying to determine if she was acting differently. He really didn't think so. But if it wasn't Sykes, then . . .
Everyone left a little early today because they actually could, and Tao was the last one there. It took him an ungodly amount of time to decipher Andy's hideously penned notes, but Tao had finally finished all of his own paperwork and was now ready to head out.
He was walking toward the elevator bank when he heard someone step out into the hallway behind him. He turned to acknowledge them, but upon seeing who it was, his greeting became surprised and uncertain.
"Ahm, hello, Captain."
Why was she still here? She'd been one of the first to leave. Her and . . .
Her and Andy Flynn.
Holy crap.
He didn't realize he'd said that out loud until the Captain's head snapped up. He flicked his gaze to the door behind her. A supply closet. Sharon Raydor had been screwing in a supply closet. He looked back at her. She knew he knew.
The Captain schooled her features instantly. "I was just heading out, Lieutenant. I'll walk with you."
Tao's heart sank. Well this was going to be highly uncomfortable.
They reached the elevator bank in silence, properly embarrassed; he pressed the button and the elevator opened for them instantly.
Sharon turned to him as the doors closed them in, looking almost as poised as ever. "Look, Mike –"
"You and Andy Flynn - I know. Or, now I know. Don't . . . don't worry, Captain. I won't say anything."
"It's not good," she muttered nervously, "not . . . protocol."
". . . No one knows, Captain, except me. And I doubt anyone will find out." He glanced at her. "And Captain?"
"Yes?" She seemed a little more relieved.
"Your blazer's misbuttoned."
Sharon blushed furiously, fumbling to fix her clothes just before the elevator doors opened.
"Have a good night, Captain." He said awkwardly, and Sharon returned his sentiment. Tao walked to his car, fervently hoping that he wouldn't be roped into having this conversation with Andy Flynn tomorrow, as well.
A/N: There were requests for Sharon/Andy, as well as one for a Tao scene. I hope this fulfills! :) Please review, they make my day!