Thank you so much to everyone who read, reviewed, favorited, followed, and supported the first chapter! Here's the next one. As always, I welcome your feedback/thoughts.

I do not own Major Crimes or any of the fabulous characters.

Chapter Two

Andy wasn't sure what he was walking into when he finally made it back to the condo. Sharon had left earlier to get ready for their undercover investigation. She hadn't spoken to him the rest of the day, but there hadn't exactly been a moment for her to do so before she had to hurry home. He had stayed behind to help the team get everything in place. If she was going to make nice with a potential killer, then he was damn sure going to make sure every possible safety net was in place. Provenza has agreed to allow him to observe from the mobile unit, but it wasn't alleviating any of his concerns for her safety.

And then there was that jackass Jack, who had not only insinuated himself into their investigation, but also tonight's op. Andy had wanted to wipe that cocky smirk off his face when Sharon reluctantly agreed to allow him to accompany them. But he knew that he had probably already dug himself a big enough hole with his inability to control his mouth around the jerk. He couldn't help himself. The guy got under his skin by going after Sharon. And all the while she stayed calm and collected, Andy was practically spitting nails. In all honesty, he felt that he managed to show an immense amount of restraint. He stuck to their case and kept his tone at "highly annoyed" without ever outwardly crossing over into anger. Inwardly, it was a whole different story. He just wasn't sure if Sharon was going to be patting him on the back for his restraint in the same way he was congratulating himself.

He made his way down the hallway towards their closed bedroom door. He could hear the soft roar of the hairdryer coming from the other side. One of the great things about living with Sharon (and being engaged to her), was that he knew her routines. If she was already on the blow drying portion of the getting ready process, then she was almost done. If he wanted to talk to her (and apologize) before this crazy op tonight, then he would have to stop dragging his feet.

He opened the door just as the hairdryer was turning off. He could see the light from the bathroom spilling into their bedroom. At least she hadn't closed the bathroom door, he thought. Maybe that was a good sign that she was open to his presence. He crossed the room and came to lean on the door frame between their bedroom and bathroom. The sight before him stole his breath and rendered him temporarily incoherent. She wore that black dress with the lace sleeves that she had worn that time to the Nutcracker. It was short and tight and it did all sorts of things to him. She also wore a pair of sexy black heels that helped show off every aspect of her amazing legs. He remembered ogling them (and her) back then when ogling was all he could do. Now that a lot more had transpired between them, he still found himself ogling her and completely caught in her rapture.

Her focus shifted from her own reflection to her fiancé and his dumbfounded expression. She had been intently studying her hair as she used a thick curling iron to add a touch of soft waves. She couldn't help but smile at his ogling. The man was nothing if not easy to please, she decided. She continued to work with the curling iron before she finally spoke.

"Andy?" She called softly. His eyes finally met hers in the mirror. How long had she been staring at him, he wondered.

"Uh, yeah," he replied, his voice still a bit hoarse from trying to find it. She smiled warmly.

"Did you need something?" She asked. Other than you, he thought, but made sure to keep a lid on that response for the time-being. First, he needed to apologize and get through this undercover assignment. Then they could get to that.

"Nah, I was just coming to check on you," he replied before letting out a sigh. Time to stop stalling. "Look, Sharon, I'm sorry about earlier".

"Earlier?" She asked a bit unsure, eyebrows knit in confusion as she used both hands to work the curling iron through another thick section of hair.

"Yeah, with Jack. I know you don't need me defending you or getting into it with him," he conceded. She pursed her lips into the mirror.

"Hmm... that is very true. So, why did you?" She asked with a tone that conveyed both seriousness and mischief. Andy wasn't sure what to make of it.

"Because, even though I know better, I couldn't help myself. The guy is a first rate jerk on a professional level, but then he always, always, gets some sort of personal dig in there to piss me off," he explained.

"And you always let him," Sharon concluded.

"Yeah, like an idiot," he said shaking his head. "I just can't handle it when he goes after you like that. So, here I am again apologizing for being an idiot to your idiot ex-husband". Sharon laughed, and Andy's face portrayed the confusion he was suddenly feeling.

"Oh, honey, I'm not mad about what happened between you and Jack," she admitted, finally letting him off the hook. "Although, you do raise some good points...," she added, teasing him further.

"Wait, you're not? But I was an ass," he argued. This whole conversation had his head spinning.

"You were a little bit. Andy, Jack annoys all of us. It's what he does. All things considered, you were pretty tame," she said as she finished up with the last chunk of hair. "But, you might want to work on your reaction to him for your own good."

"Yeah, I know. I got caught up in it. Again. And for that, I'm sorry. You don't need two of us acting like idiots," he concluded as she put the curling iron down and fluffed her hair. Once she was done, she finally turned and faced him. She gave him a forgiving smile before reaching for his hand and gently tugging him towards her. She ran her hands up his chest once they were in close enough proximity.

"I really wasn't mad, but I appreciate your apology," she said quietly. He smiled.

"Since we're on the topic of appreciating things," he began, and she shot him a warning look. "I really appreciate this dress, especially on you. And don't even get me started on those shoes". She gave him a throaty laugh before leaning in and capturing his lips for a brief, teasing kiss.

"And here I was thinking you'd appreciate it more if I wasn't wearing it at all," she flirted as their lips came together again. This time, with a bit more passion. It lingered a little longer than the first, but still remained brief.

"Oh, I always appreciate it when you're not wearing anything. Believe me, I appreciate it a lot. But this dress ranks up there as well," he clarified, and this time when their lips came together, the kiss had their full passion behind it. Andy's hands quickly found her hips and pulled her closer, mindful of the fact that she had already taken care to get ready for the evening.

Once they finally broke apart, Andy placed one last soft kiss to her lips. She smiled, and it held more than the contentment she was feeling.

"Later," she whispered, and he smiled.

"Yeah, let's get through this evening in one piece first," he said with a sigh. She nodded.

"I promise not to take any unnecessary risks," she assured him.

"I know," he concurred. "But I meant both of us. I'm going to be in confined quarters with Jack the entire time. If we both make it through, it will be a miracle," he joked. She gave him a disapproving look.

"Well, then, you will just have to be on your best behavior. If something happens, then there won't be a later," she teased before leaving his arms and heading for the bedroom door. He stood there mesmerized (for the second time) before finally following her.

It was going to be an interesting night, indeed.

How Sharon ended up trapped in a vehicle with her fiancé and ex-husband, she'd never know. They had met everyone back at the murder room to finalize plans before jumping into their cars and heading to the club. Frankie was traveling with a couple of undercover detectives from SIS to make sure he held up his end of the deal without taking off. Provenza had conned Mike into driving him along with Buzz, and Amy and Julio had gone ahead to set up their cover at the club. That left Sharon and Andy with the task of transporting her wayward ex.

Silence. Silence would have been fine. She could have lived with awkward silence, and she was pretty sure Andy could have, too, but not Jack. The man never met a pregnant pause he didn't fill. And while it usually contributed to his charm (and helped him as a professional BS artist), tonight it was only making a bad situation worse.

"I didn't think you did a lot of undercover work, Sharon," he said, filling another pause. "Thought you left the dirty work to your squad. You know, perk of being in charge. This part of your new title?" He asked from the middle of the back seat. She was content to let him drone on, but she knew that if she didn't engage in the conversation with him then Andy would, and that wasn't going to end well.

"You're right, Jack. I don't usually go undercover, but it has nothing to do with 'dirty work'. I believe in delegating and deferring to those who are more qualified. We all have our strengths and weaknesses and relevant experience. It just so happens, that this time, I'm the most qualified for the job," she explained calmly.

"I'm not sure your age is the best qualifier, but I guess you're right. It's not like old Provenza would hold anyone's interest, and Andy here, well, he's still sidelined. Although, if it's just qualifications you're looking at, Andy is certainly well qualified at picking up dates," he said with an obnoxious laugh.

"I don't think I'm his type, Jack," Andy said fighting to keep his annoyance at bay. Sharon allowed a small smile to curve her lips at his clever reply.

"Well, you're a changed man now anyway. Or at least, that's what my daughter keeps telling me. Me? I'm still a bit skeptical, but it's none of my business," he added dismissively.

"You're right about that, Jack. It is none of your business," Sharon said firmly. She was starting to understand how Andy felt when Jack went after her. She didn't like him taking his digs at Andy.

"Tonight's going to be interesting. That's for sure," he said leadingly. Sharon chose to ignore it, but...

"Don't worry. You'll just be observing, and I promise we'll keep you safe and sound," Andy said sarcastically. Sharon looked heavenward. Here it comes, she thought.

"Oh, I'm not talking about that," he replied with a dismissive motion. "I mean having to watch Sharon with all those other men all over her". And there is was. Jack had once again laid a trap that Andy walked right into. She really needed to train him on how to avoid Jack's little games.

"My only concern tonight is Sharon's safety," he assured him, finding Sharon's hand and lacing their fingers together over the center console. The gesture did not go unnoticed by Jack. He cringed silently at the action.

"You must be a stronger man than I, Andy my man. With Sharon dressed like that, other men openly ogling her, touching her, trying to get close to her... better you than me is all I can say," he concluded. Andy rolled his eyes, and Sharon squeezed his hand to let him know he had nothing to worry about tonight.

"Has nothing to do with being stronger. I trust Sharon. She trusts me. End of story," Andy replied confidently.

"Well, no need to worry anyway. I got your back tonight. I'll be watching all those men like a hawk. If any of them gets inappropriate, you'll be the first to know," Jack said with that damn cocky grin. Now it was Sharon's turn to roll her eyes.

She couldn't wait for this night to be over, and it hadn't even begun. She closed her eyes and said a silent prayer for all three of them to make it out alive, and it wasn't their potential suspect that had her worried.

TBC