Thank you for receiving this sequel with so much love, please enjoy!
It is Thursday morning when Taylor comes storming into Sharon's office she jumps to her feet.
"What's going on out there?" Taylor shouts at Sharon. She looks at him confused, then glancing through the windows of her office and sees nothing but empty desks. She frowns still looking at the emptiness. "In Las Vegas? You know were your team is at!" His voice still shouting.
Buzz comes running, Sharon sees him through the windows, he moves to the murder room. She can see him staying around watching carefully.
"I don't know Chief." Sharon says calmly sitting down again.
These words made her cringe inside. I don't know? It irritated her, having to respond this way. She always had things under control she trusted Provenza and the team but she was as nervous and as impatient as Taylor for having no updates.
"You don't know? You are the Captain, figure it out!" He shouts louder.
"Chief with all the respect, I cannot know every detail being here. I've told you as much as I know." She is upset and furious too but pretends she's alright and opens one of her many folders and starts reading.
"You decided to stay, now suffer the consequences." He grumbles out. This was one of many ways he threatened her, with her job. He didn't use those words directly but she knew this was exactly what he meant.
"I have sent them great information being here. This mess is not for decoration." She signals to the files and boxes in her office. "I am not just sitting around." Her voice finally rising a little.
"I want you and Buzz on a plane tomorrow, he seems to be the only person to work around here. Maybe he can go through feed faster being over there." Sharon frowns. "Is there a problem?" Taylor says harshly.
"I have Rusty." She says softly.
"You said it wouldn't affect you or your work." Taylor says almost as a threat again.
"I need permission from the court and a flight for him that's all." Sharon stands, Taylor sees he hit a sore spot. "I'm not going otherwise." She finishes, putting a smaller threat on him.
They stare at each other intently for some time.
"Alright." He says calming down. "Book it Captain, I'm going too." Sharon looks at him shocked. "The team doesn't know about this, I want to see what they're doing when you're not there to lead them." He walks away huffing.
She bites her lip worried and calls Buzz in.
"Did you hear that?" She asks him.
"I wasn't trying to listen in Captain, it's just he has no right to storm in that way." Sharon smiles at him.
"No, it's fine if you overheard and thank you for watching out." He looks embarrassed all of a sudden.
"You ready for Vegas?" She asks shrugging.
"Sure, just need to pack." He looks around her office as if all the boxes he had seen her drown in through the week would also be taken with them.
"Hmm. We do." She thinks and pulls out a folder under a pile of papers. Buzz helps her, she hands him it.
"Can you bring with you some equipment that may seem necessary, lets sign it out, you know the drill?" He nods. "And then if you can take it home with you and check it in tomorrow, you are free to go. I will call you with the flight time."
"Yes, Captain. Do you want me to help with this?" He gestures to the boxes and folders spread in her office.
She groans looking around. "No, I'll sort what I can and ask for some of it to be picked up. Thank you Buzz."
"And Rusty I can pick him up?" Sharon smiles months before Buzz would of offered out of politeness she knew now that he enjoyed Rusty's company.
"No thank you, I will pick him up. He might need to buy some things for the trip like me. And please you heard Taylor don't let the team know."
"Yes, Captain." Buzz doesn't leave but watches Sharon, there was a heaviness that suddenly overwhelmed her and he could see it as much as she could feel it.
She sits down. "Its more a worry for me that Lieutenant Provenza will think that I don't trust him." She frowns and glances through the corner of her eye at him.
"Captain, I'll pack the equipment and see you tomorrow and Lieutenant Provenza appreciates you very much, he will understand." She gives him a weak smile, he walks out of her office.
Sharon arranges the flights and is having a hard time finding a hotel room available, let alone three or four.
"Jason." She says out loud to herself and dials a number. She calls a friend to help her with their hotel stay and he resolves the problem immediately, she thanks him.
A deep, husky voice meets her ear. "You have access to anything you need, the casino you're squad has had a stake out for about a week now in a casino under one of my hotels. If I would have been informed earlier I might have been more polite." He chuckles.
"Jason, sorry for the trouble." She suddenly feels embarrassed. What kind of trouble had her team been causing?
"No, I'll tell the front desk your name and you have control over the casino or hotel."
"The casino?" Her voice rising.
"I knew Silverstein was bad business but never capable of murder he is the owner but I have more control over him than he thinks. I have him completely wired through me, he doesn't know it. It's not illegal now." Jason knew Sharon's obsession with rules, she simply makes a noise of amusement. "The only thing I can't get you is there camera feed, but anything else." Sharon listens to him patiently.
"Anything?" She thinks out loud.
"Alarms, camera feed from the hotel, my employees to evacuate, I have a new sprinkler system installed." He says playfully, Sharon laughs.
"I just need to use my name." Sharon is finding this unrealistic.
"That's all sweetheart." Jason's voice always seductive.
"Thank you Jason, I will take your word." She accepts knowing this may come in handy.
The team is gathered at the police station in Las Vegas gathered with Chief Ray who has been working with them.
"I think it's time to follow this man with the briefcase." The Chief comments.
"We have sir, he is on to us. They know Detective Sanchez and I are officers." Sykes ends.
Provenza speaks. "I agree Chief, we only have tomorrow before our Chief pulls us home and calls the Feds. Maybe if we follow and catch him.."
"...we can offer him a deal and he'll let us know where Silverstein is." The chief adds.
Provenza nods. "Or he'll lead us directly to Silverstein." Provenza is trying to be patient and not seem desperate but he is everything but that.
"I'm on board." The Chief says quickly. "We don't need the Feds coming through here."
Provenza sighs of relief and doesn't take a second afraid he will change his mind. "We have an idea. I will work from the surveillance van with one of your men of course. Lieutenant Flynn will take lead on the ground, Sanchez and Sykes will be his eyes outside the casino and your men will be undercover inside with Flynn and Tao." The team looks at the Chief carefully, hopeful.
"Wait this all seems very risky, I don't want my men injured." The chief is frowning, shaking his head.
"We don't either Chief." Andy stands from his seat and looks at Provenza who gestures him to take over.
"Provenza will stay in the van with your guy giving directions, five of your men will be wired with camera feed along with all of us, we will all be given ear pieces and mics. There is risk but it's time to move in." He speaks calmly and dedicated.
"Have you ever led something this big." The chief asks, Provenza's giggles.
"Not you Lieutenant, I'm talking to Lieutenant Flynn. No offense Lieutenant Provenza but Flynn will be calling shots once you lose sight of them with the cameras we have set inside the casino. Those wired cameras will be limited. It is his lead." The chief looks at Andy.
"I can do it." Andy replies defensively. The Chief stares at him, Andy doesn't break his gaze.
"Alright you have us on board, tell me what it is you need. My men will be at your disposition. One thing Lieutenant Provenza, you don't need to stay in the van the whole time." They all look at him defensively.
He holds his hands up in front of him, waving them. "No, don't attack. I mean we can have two of my men in there from the start, in case its necessary. We aren't trying to take over. Chief Taylor and Captain Raydor have been nothing but pleasant, I'm not trying to change my situation with the LAPD now." Provenza nods.
He looks at Andy. "Lets have two guys with me then, but let it be someone you trust. My men will be out there too, I want to know they can lead us without hesitation." Provenza says strongly.
"Of course Lieutenant." The Chief starts dialing a number. They all turn and look at each other all of their nerves rising but relieved that something is finally happening.
Sharon organizes some folders and boxes, she calls down to have someone take them. She takes a couple folders she knows could be of use and leaves the office. Then she picks up Rusty at school.
"Any test tomorrow?" She asks a tired Rusty.
"No. Just assignments are due, but I turned them in already." He shrugs, leaning on his hand closing his eyes.
"You think you can pack a bag for Vegas by tomorrow? Rusty's eyes go wide.
"Are you serious?" He sits up straight.
"Yes, I already called and got permission for the weekend, DDA Rios helped so that means you have to be back here by Monday. But we will only be gone tomorrow and come back Saturday morning." She finishes quickly smiling at Rusty's thrill.
"I don't care. I get to go to Vegas." Sharon shakes her head, smiling. It wasn't often she saw Rusty excited, but the seldom times he was it made her feel less burdened too.
"What did Andy say." Rusty asks quickly.
"Nothing it's a surprise." Rusty rolls his eyes, letting out a noise of annoyance.
"Not for him for the team, Chief Taylor is coming too." Rusty frowns. "Plus I don't want to make Provenza worry before he has too." She can't help but think of his reaction when she shows up.
Rusty takes the words from her mind. "He's going to freak out when he sees you and then when you tell him Taylor is going.." But he too stops himself from continuing. Rusty is suddenly feeling overwhelmed, Sharon swallows deep in her throat. They stay quiet briefly only the noise of the radio filling the silence.
"You need anything from the store?" Sharon asks him trying to relieve the anxiety a little.
"I don't think so." Rusty says softly still thinking of Provenza.
"You want me to drop you off at home, I need a few things I shouldn't be long."
"I'll go with you if you don't mind." Rusty had begun to enjoy being with Sharon all these afternoons, he decided to take advantage knowing it may be the last.
"Not at all, I was hoping you'd say that. I like having your company." Her voice sweet and soft.
The team assembles together again but in the hotel meeting space. Andy is sitting hunched over, Sanchez sitting on the table the others standing or pacing; all of them tense. They had all held a great load the past few days. They were starting to get irritated easier and crack faster, but this sudden decision of moving full force on someone who they knew was armed and protected had them all on edge.
"I think we should tell the Captain?" Andy says.
Provenza groans. "She'll just be worried the whole time. We've gone over this." Provenza was tired and annoyed by this suggestion, not only by Andy but everyone.
"Exactly why she should know." Andy says almost defeated.
They all watch them silently. Sanchez speaks out. "Lieutenant Flynn, I agree with you but I do think Lieutenant Provenza has a point. She will worry and catch a flight out immediately." Andy looks at him, he knew Sanchez knew about them and was talking about Sharon and him personally more than the team.
"Provenza you make the call your in charge." Andy grabs his coat and stands up. They were all worried they all knew the risk of not telling the Captain but they could all see it bothered Andy the most.
"Am I dismissed?" Andy asks carefully.
Provenza looks at Sanchez then back at Andy. "Yes. I'll need you here in two hours when we start planning with the others." Andy nods and walks out. Provenza cusses a chain of words, the others move uncomfortably. They didn't exchange heated words but the team knew the two of them had been walking on tip toes around each other the past few days.
Sharon and Rusty arrive at home packing their luggage, agreeing on leftovers, both making sure everything was ready for their flight.
Sharon peaks into Rusty's room. "All ready?"
"I need the Mom hands or woman hands." Rusty says frustrated.
She smiles. "Yes, I got it." She organizes everything, making his luggage look like perfection.
"Thanks Sharon." Rusty looks gloomy.
"For what, it's nothing. She tries reading him, her arms crossed across her chest.
"For bringing me along. I know that's why you didn't make the first trip with Andy." He doesn't look at Sharon.
"Hey Rusty." She waits for him to meet her eyes. "If I would have been over there, it would have been harder for me. That's why I chose to stay. Your my priority." She waits for a response. "Alright?" She smiles as he nods. "Rusty?" He looks at her again. "I told you if this ever becomes too much, just say it. I mean it." Her words sincere and soft.
"No Sharon, I love having Andy around. Sometimes I feel like it's not so great having me around." His words were not whinny or craving attention but sincere. He was never this open but he was trying to be and Sharon knew it was a breakthrough of some sort.
She clears her throat and her words still sincere but stronger. "Stop. You are wonderful. I love having you around. Andy or no Andy, it's me and you first." She smiles at him.
These words rolled off her tongue it was hard for her to hear them because without a doubt she loved Andy, but she believed her own words as they were said. They were the truth. Before anything was her love and dedication for Rusty.
"Thanks Sharon." He let out softly he believed her but did not understand her and it scared him a little, he knew how much she cared for Andy. She would give that all up for him? He zips up his bag and moves it off the bed.
There is a silence between them one that isn't ever awkward they have it often, just like this one it usually helps them speak more than words ever could.
"We should get some sleep, our flight takes off at six in the morning." Sharon leaves Rusty with her words ringing in his head.
She takes a quick shower and makes sure she is all packed, she makes herself comfortable in her bed and calls Andy.
"Hello." Andy answers softly.
"Hello Love, are you alright?" Sharon asks, Andy was at the bar having his usual, caught off guard by Sharon's voice.
"Sharon?" Andy answers his voice normal again.
"Well I hope no one else is calling you love. You don't sound alright what's going on?" She asks softly.
"Well before today no one called me that." He jokes. "I'm alright, just having a drink." He is desperate in telling her what's going on.
"Cranberry and Soda which means you are at a bar or out with the guys. The first worries me because it means you're not okay. The second worries me for all sorts of other reasons." She forces a smile just for herself.
"You know you freak me out sometimes." Andy says impressed, she laughs. "I'm at the bar, but I'm alright just this case..." He stops.
"Yes, I understand. It's been heavy on all of us. Anything I can do to help?" Her words consoled him, more than she knew.
"Sharon everything's fine I promise. I hope this is over soon so I can see you. I miss you and Rusty. How is he by the way?" He asks trying to distract himself but also genuinely concerned about him.
"Good, he misses you. He's asleep or I would let you talk to him." Sharon knows there is more to this conversation by the sound of his voice.
"Asleep?" He asked shocked.
"Yeah, he has a long day tomorrow." She wants to tell Andy, but knows it will pressure him in figuring out a plan before Taylor gets there and send havoc over Provenza before it is necessary.
"Sharon, Beautiful can you do me a favor and call me really early tomorrow? I'll be working but I just want to hear your voice."
Andy was growing into a sudden realization that he was in fact going behind the Captains back but also putting himself at risk without telling Sharon. He understood now what was bothering him, he could come out of this hurt or worse and break a promise he had made to Rusty and Sharon. He would always be around for them, and he wouldn't put himself at risk of getting hurt.
"Absolutely, are you sure you're alright?" Sharon replies getting out of the bed, something didn't sit well in her stomach with his words.
"Yeah, I have to go to a meeting with the team but I'll be waiting for your call and I promise I'm fine." Andy's voice rings softly.
She pouts as she hangs up worried, pacing. There was something strange about that call, everything was not alright.
The following morning Sharon and Rusty meet Buzz at the airport and board the plane.
"Sharon I thought you said Chief Taylor was going to meet us?" Rusty asks as they take their seats.
"Yes in Las Vegas, I booked him for a flight in three hours. I need to see what they are doing out there before he comes attacking." Sharon is still thinking about her phone call with Andy.
They arrive at the airport and Sharon has arranged everything, their pick up and drop off at the hotel. The rooms were ready for them, but she had no plans of going up.
"I am going to get straight to work." She tells Rusty. "This gentleman is your escort." A police officer is standing next to her.
Rusty frowns. "You can stay in your room or have officer Jackson be with you at all times, but in a five mile radius from here?" She raises her eyebrows at him.
He knew there was no debating this one. "Alright." He answers quickly.
"You follow all my instructions if he gets lost you will not find a job ever again, not even as a self employed businessman. Understood?" Sharon whispers to the officer.
"Yes Captain." He says frightened.
"Thank you." She tells him as he backs away. "Go on, keep your phone on." She tells Rusty.
Buzz smiles at Rusty, "Alright Buzz, you going upstairs or coming with me?" She says still watching Rusty walk away.
"With you Captain." He too watches Rusty.
"Alright the luggage will go up, here is your key and this is mine." She puts hers in a small wallet.
They get on a taxi and drive to a nearby Casino.
You on duty? She texts Andy.
Yes. Same drill. Waiting for your call. He responds.
They walk into the Casino. They immediately split up and Sharon walks around impatiently looking around. She spots Andy, sitting at a slot machine, she smiles. She changes some money for coins and walks with her cup in hand, bitting her lip. Andy is scratching his eyebrow, almost as if he hasn't a care in the world. Sharon walks up behind him and puts a coin in the slot, pulling it. All to quick for Andy to react.
"Maybe I can change your luck?" She whispers into his ear.
"Sharon?" He questions, turning around, he grins when he sees her.
The slot machine goes crazy, she laughs as she looks at it. "Well it's not the jackpot but it is a couple hundred dollars." She says smiling at him.
Sharon takes the slot machine next to him. "Why didn't you tell me, you were coming?" He was still grinning from ear to ear.
"I wanted to but I didn't want to worry you either." He frowns. "Chief Taylor wants to make sure all of you are working, he is on his way too." She puts a coin in the slot machine and pulls the bar. She wins again. "That's no fun." She shakes her head as the money comes out. He smiles and looks at her. They don't need words to explain what they want to say; they had both missed each other and not even Sharon's news upset him.
He finally looks at her completely. She wore a long skirt that flowed, a wrap almost with a long opening that exposed her legs as she sat. A soft beautiful pattern printed on it, with light colors of soft brown and cream. Her toned arms exposed with only a tank top and her curly locks, flowing naturally.
"Andy?" She turns to him carefully, making him take his eyes off of her. "This gentleman walking our way?"
Andy looks. Sharon collects her coins. "He's part of Silverstein's group." Andy whispers. "He's the one we told you about."
"Why not follow him?" She frowns.
Andy's stomach drops, he knew everyone was getting ready around him and outside and Sharon was sitting in the middle of it. "Sharon we are setup for it right now, I'm leading this and Provenza will be in my ear any minute." He says looking at his watch.
Sharon frowns at all his words. "No." She says instinctively. "I wasn't informed?" Her voice rising.
"Well because.." Andy begins but is cut off.
"Who the hell is that woman with you Andy?" Provenza rings through his ear. Andy isn't sure if Provenza is asking because she really does look different from the usual Captain or because he was hoping he was imagining things.
"He's in it now actually." He points at his ear. Sharon is still frowning.
He turns on his mic. "It is the Captain, Provenza and before you accuse me, Taylor sent her, he's on his way too." Andy says trying to defend himself before he is accused.
Provenza curses. Andy turns off his mic still listening to Provenza.
"Andy this is why you were upset last night." Sharon doesn't question him, she states it as a fact and she knows she is right and Andy doesn't make an attempt to agree or say otherwise. "Who's leading this? Where is Sanchez and Sykes?" She looks around slowly. Andy had said he was leading but she either missed it or refused to accept it.
"Sharon, I'm leading it." He looks at her directly into her eyes. Andy is thankful they are being watched, knowing how she would react otherwise.
They are still sitting at the slot machines, their voices in a conversation tone, they both know they have to behave as being undercover and not act suspiciously.
She looks at him upset and stands up. "You were going to take lead and not tell me?" Her voice with a shrill in it but still low.
"Sharon?" He tries interrupting.
Sharon knows she has to keep her voice down and act professionally but this seems to only infuriate her more.
"You were going to lead, which means you're first target. And it wasn't important to tell me?" Her voice low but full of rage.
"Beautiful I need you on my side right now." Her expression is lighter as he calls her this, but she feels heavier knowing that this is about to take place and she can't change it.
They stare at each other carefully, she sits down. "I am." She finally lets out softly. "What do you need?" She says not completely convinced. He smiles.
"Thank you, I need you to trust me. There are a lot of people counting on this to work." He turns on his mic at Provenza's order. "He says he will send someone for you?" He looks at Sharon.
"What am I just a wall flower or something?" She says upset, putting her money aside.
"Yes she is." One of the Lieutenants in the van with Provenza comments.
"Excuse me." Andy says, Sharon frowns not being able to hear the others.
"Not you." He says quickly lightly touching her hand. "This idiot in my ear." He growls. She looks at him confused.
"That's our Captain, Lieutenant Jones." Provenza grumbles.
"Doesn't mean she's not smoking hot." Jones says in a growl.
Sharon is watching Andy's expression of disgust. "Alright, enough we are not playing telephone this is a job." Provenza says before Andy can say something.
Sharon is frowning. "Forget it." Andy tells her. "You sure you want to do this?" He smiles weakly.
She gives him a glare that answers him better than any words could.
"You armed, Captain?" Andy says grinning but worried.
"Of course." She replies offended. Andy wants to ask where she put it but doesn't dare this is far to personal and the others could hear but someone speaks his words.
"Ask her where she put it? Mmm." Jones says all to disgusting.
"Provenza if you don't stop that idiot I will take this junk out of my ear." Andy says infuriated. Provenza is already fidgeting taking away the lieutenants microphone.
"Lieutenant what is going on?" Sharon asks Andy, not able to hear anything.
"We are ready to go." He says ignoring the shouting Provenza is doing for him.
"Who's in the van? Buzz is here." Sharon says walking next to him casually.
"I'll send out to look for him." Provenza says as he can hear her, Andy nods at her.
"So Sykes and Sanchez were found out before so they know we are out here undercover and we suspect that is why we haven't seen Silverstein personally." He briefs her on everything he can and everything she needs to know, they walk changing paths but she doesn't question him only follows and listens attentively.
"Provenza please let the others know we have the Captain with us, we wouldn't want her mistaken for one of them by our Las Vegas team." Provenza does as he's asked.
Andy stops and looks at Sharon, she meets his eyes and she can see worry in his. "Alright Captain, they went through some doors about fifty feet from here. You can stay here." Andy smiles at here.
"No I'm in this with you." She says softly, not worrying about the others listening.
"Alright Provenza please give me the mic." Andy takes over, everyone now being able to hear him. He takes a deep breath and begins. "Alright we are moving in, I'll take lead and then.."
"Andy I'm on my way out." Provenza calls through.
"What?" His voice upset.
"Go ahead and move in I'll be there in a minute." Provenza continues.
"Provenza's coming." He looks at Sharon almost for a plead of help.
"More back up, it's good Lieutenant." She smiles at him trying to encourage him.
He nods and clears his throat. "Alright again, we are moving in I go first, then Detective Buhler and Danton. The rest move in at your designated spots. Captain Raydor and Lieutenant Provenza have joined us so they'll be trailing me with Tao." He pauses, "Any questions?" The officers in the van clear him as to everyone ready. He waits a moment to give Provenza time.
"Is Buzz there?" Sharon asks. Andy nods. "If something, anything happens here. Promise you'll watch Rusty?" Her voice struggling to say everything.
There is silence and then Buzz responds. "Yes of course tell the Captain. I said yes. Andy smiles weakly.
"He said Yes." She sighs. He grabs her hand and squeezes it tight and lets it go. "Ready Captain?" She nods with a weak smile and draws her gun from under her skit, Andy smiles. He makes a mental note to tell her how incredible sexy that was.
"Your lead Lieutenant." She waits for him and follows him, Provenza and Tao approaching close behind. He gestures Sharon with his hand to stand back, she frowns. He turns off his mic.
"You said I was lead." She questions him with a glance but then silently agrees.
Andy tries opening a door, but it's locked. He shoots at it, causing attention from others around, screaming begins, they all hold up their badge. Sharon suddenly realizes their is more than only six of them. Andy signals a go ahead for the other undercover officers to enter. Sharon looks surprised.
"Captain, you coming?" He smiles at her.
"You had this more prepared than I thought." He raises his eyebrows, smiling.
They move through a dark hallway for several minutes, stopping to check rooms and closed doors. Their is a loud gunshot behind Andy he turns around and sees Sharon's gun extended.
"Shit." She mumbles. A man falls to the floor.
"Captain!" Tao says.
Sharon rushes over to a body and she throws his weapon aside, lowering hers too. Tao and Provenza keep their guns up looking around them.
"He's alive." She sighs out in a relieved breath. "Shit." She says again looking at the mans blood.
"Captain, I'm sorry I should have been quicker at taking the shot." Tao says.
"No, don't apologize Lieutenant. That probably alarmed them lets go." She looks at the unconscious man. Andy finally approaches her and gives her a hand to stand.
Her skirt slit is exposing tight legs as she is crouched on her heels. "You know these heels, not the best choice." Sharon says grabbing his hand. Andy grins and mouths "Hot," to her she smiles, "call him in Lieutenant." She says returning to reality.
"Yes Ma'am," Andy calls the injured man in Sharon gestures at him to move ahead.
They slowly walk through the dark hallway. "Lieutenant." An officer calls ahead. "We've got noise."
Andy's stomach goes sour this was it, he thought to himself. Sharon and Andy move ahead quickly.
"I'm going in, Captain, you're staying." She frowns at him.
"Lieutenant!" She said almost as an order.
"Captain, I'm lead." She frowns. "Sanchez an Sykes are on their way. Provenza and you stay behind until they catch up. Tao you're with me." He knows this infuriates her so he turns away quickly from her and looks at Provenza and he nods.
"Lieutenant?" Sharon says angry at both of them.
"Am I at lead?" Andy questions her, he was trying to protect her and also keeping Rusty in mind, he knew the people inside would be armed and would put up a fight.
"Yes, it's your lead." She says through her teeth. The other officers were around and it wasn't time to change directions this was still their job and as much she feared something going wrong she couldn't stop him. Andy doesn't look at her any more and shots at the door once more. She hears scattering inside.
"He's a pain in the ass, isn't he?" Provenza says as the others move in.
"Absolutely." Sharon says loudly. Provenza grins.
She closes her eyes and starts planning out loud, talking to herself in a whisper. She shifts and Provenza frowns when she's pulling up her skirt only a little to expose her legs.
"Captain?" He looks around him as if she's about to put on a show and needs to cover her or not.
"I need to make a call." She says pulling out her phone.
"Right now!" He grumbles.
She doesn't respond, everything is eerily quiet. The silence is quickly taken over by gunshots sounding. Sharon jumps and closes her eyes and takes a deep breath.
"Andy you're an idiot." She says loudly, she looks at Provenza he too looks worried. She dials a number.
"Are we moving in Captain?" Provenza asks confused at her and her phone.
"This is Captain Sharon Raydor we need the sprinkler system going in the basement all around, immediately." She pauses. "Thank you." She hangs up and puts her phone away.
"Captain?" Provenza questions her.
"Hopefully it rains, let's go." The shooting continues, her heart sinks thinking of Andy injured.
"Sprinklers?" Provenza asks as they slowly move around walls.
"Are guys are trained, let's hope they aren't and it'll confuse them for a second." She breathes heavily taking quick and quiet steps.
The sprinklers go off. "Thank you Jason." She mumbles to her self.
Provenza shakes his head. "Who's Jason?" His voice slightly irritated and confused.
The shouting becomes closer and louder.
"Not now Lieutenant, tell me can you hear Andy in that ear piece." She holds her breath.
"Yes." He says quickly, she lets out a shattering breath.
"You'll let me know if you can't?" She asks as they move.
He stays quiet, she stops and looks at him. "I will." His voice soft distant from his.
The gunshots continue and she knows they are a room or wall away. She looks and sees a man pointing a gun at another officer she is going to take the shot but the officer takes it himself.
"Get on the ground!" She hears Andy's voice ring out loud. She curses to herself, he was confronting someone.
They turn the corner and Silverstein is standing with a briefcase in hand his gun at Andy. Sharon feels nauseous, her heart stops beating, everything goes silent she gets ready to shoot but Silverstein falls to the floor. She turns to her right and Provenza, grunts.
They move behind the wall as the shooting is targeted at them now.
"Thanks Lieutenant." She tells him in a whisper. Not afraid to be heard but because that is all she can muster.
"That would have been two on you Captain." Provenza tells her, she curses again.
The shooting ends. "He'll be fine." He says knowing that her worry is on the other man she shot.
"I hope so." She holds tight to her gun, making her wrist ache.
"Andy called cleared." He says trying to help her stand from slouching down.
She shakes her head, putting her gun away. Provenza stays by her side as people shuffle through.
"Thanks Provenza." Andy comes around the corner out of breath. The water still pouring over all of them.
"You know next time, you two." Provenza gets both Sharon and Andy's eyes on him. "Pull the trigger on the guy pointing the gun at you. Not just for everyone else." Provenza walks away annoyed.
Sharon shakes her hand still slouched. The water pouring over them. She is not looking at Andy. "Where is this water coming from?" He asks still out of breath, slouching beside her.
"Andy you are a complete idiot, you know that right?" Andy laughs, she pushes herself up. "What the hell, you two stay behind?" She shakes her head the water rushing over her, her clothes sticking to her body showing her small frame and curves.
"You didn't listen." He smiles standing up too. "Let me see your wrist." He takes her hand and runs his fingers through her wrist and hand.
"I have to check if the man I shot back there is alright." She moves away.
"Captain?" Andy frowns, Sharon walks away.
Andy watches her. He turns to see the scene of bodies on the floor, none officers.
"Provenza take over." Provenza waves from afar.
"Shut this water off will you!" Provenza shouts.
"It saved our lives." An officer says behind him, he turns and faces him. "It distracted them for a second, giving us a chance to shoot or duck." Provenza nods, tilting his neck thinking to himself that the captain saved lies without knowing it.
"Captain." Andy runs after Sharon. She turns around but doesn't stop walking.
The water still going over them, she is drenched, he is too.
"Sharon!" He shouts. She stops and turns around.
"You did it again Lieutenant you stood in front of the gun." She says breathing the water out from her lips, her hair in her face, she makes no motion to move it away.
"I didn't stand in front of the gun, you walked in when he pointed at me. I called him out to put the gun down and he pointed it at me." She starts walking again. He groans in frustration and turns away from her.
"What the hell Andy." She shakes her head. He looks at her again. She is stopped.
He moves to her quickly and she walks, he grabs her hand. "Stop." He pulls her to look at him.
"I have to go." She tries losing his hold, her voice broken.
He pulls her in at her waist. "Beautiful." He pushes away the hair running over her face, the water making her shiver, his hold sending a cold chill through her. "I didn't. I was multiple times to try and stop him but I thought of you and I didn't. You have to believe me." His voice desperate.
"Someone can come by Andy." She fidgets in his hold.
"I don't care, I won't let go. Not until you believe me." His voice sounding truly affected, she stops pulling away. His grasp firm on her.
"I do." She says still upset. "But that doesn't take away the fear of you standing there with a gun pointed at you." She gasps at him closing the gap so quickly, but gives in with a light moan. His lips soft, the water running between them. His hand on the side of her neck and cheek. They don't part both taking pleasure in being so close. He finally pulls away from her mouth, she gives out a light whimper, her eyes closed. He gives her a light kiss.
"What's all this water?" They hear down the hall. She pulls away, quickly coming back to her senses. "Captain, Lieutenant, You alright? Sykes asks.
"Fine," she starts moving and stops close to them. "The gentleman that was shot down this hall?" Sharon asks quickly.
"He's fine Captain." Sykes answers quickly. Sharon lets out a deep breath. They all watch her as she gives in weight at her waist. Sykes steps closer to her and puts her hand on her back.
"Thanks Detective. It's silly." She says straightening up, embarrassed trying to resume her position of Captain quickly.
"No Captain, I take the most shots." She looks at Sanchez. "Gets me every time." His voice softened.
She smiles. "Thank you Detective." She is drenched. The other two are getting wet too. She looks at Andy and he looks hopeless, wanting to embrace her but knowing he can't stands motionless. "Let's get these sprinklers off." She tells them.
"We've asked." Sykes says frowning.
Sharon shakes her head. "I set them off." They all frown, confused. "Cover me," she says quickly Andy takes off his jacket and puts it over her as she pulls out her phone. "Yes Captain Raydor, the sprinklers can be turned off." She hangs up, Andy looks at her carefully she smiles. He moves the jacket off from over her. She lightly lays a hand on his shoulder and takes it away. Seconds later the sprinklers go off.
"Sykes!" Tao calls her from down the hall. She moves towards him quickly.
"Captain the sprinklers?" Andy asks as she suddenly leans on the wall. She's about to explain, but stops when a heavy sigh comes out of her. Sanchez closest to her helps her stay steady.
"Sharon?" Andy moves forward at her breaking. He looks at Sanchez worried.
"I'm alright," her voice weak. "I just need a minute." She pushes herself up from the wall.
"Lieutenant you're lead you should be in there I'll stay here with the Captain." Sanchez says.
Andy doesn't move. Sanchez encourages him with a nod, Sharon stands up straight.
"You alright?" Andy looks at her.
"Dizzy, that's all." She nods. "Go on." She holds Sanchez's arm to balance herself and lets go.
He frowns and moves his hand on her arm. Sanchez suddenly uncomfortable, feeling he's in something personal.
"Go, Lieutenant." She looks at Andy.
"Flynn." Provenza calls from down the hall.
Andy looks back and turns to look at Sharon again. "Stay with her Sanchez?" He says without taking his eyes off of her.
"Yes, Sir." His voice strong. Andy walks away, worried about Sharon. There was more to her being dizzy he knew it. She wouldn't let herself break that easily in front of the others. "Not dizzy are you Captain?" Sanchez asks as Andy is out of sight.
She smiles and holds his arm again, more as a thank you than anything else. "No, you're right. I was thinking of Rusty the whole time, we went through this." She smiles weakly letting his arm go. "He's out there seeing Vegas and.."
"..you were almost shot." She nods at Sanchez's words.
"The bullet was aimed at Tao but it would have hit me dead on." She shakes her head. "What would have happened to Rusty?" Her question for herself but saying it out loud.
"It's worse when you shoot to save yourself." Sanchez continues, trying to make her feel better. He understood the guilt she was feeling.
"And after all these years I don't understand that." She says in a whisper.
"We never will Captain." Provenza comes from behind her. Sanchez and her both turn around. "You didn't take it for yourself though, you took it for Rusty." Provenza adds. "Everything is under control in there. None of our guys were injured."
Sharon nods. "Thank you both, what the hell was I thinking sprinklers." She looks at all of them wet.
Provenza looks at himself in dismay but knows she needs encouragement like all of them do, he could complain of his wet clothes later. "The guys in there said Andy, and three other officers would have been shot if they didn't go off. It distracted them." Sharon looks at him, thanking him for his words with only her gaze. "How is it that you turned those on with a call?" Provenza asks pointing towards the ceiling.
"A friend, this casino was Silverstein's but not the hotel above it." She starts feeling calmer now.
"Is Captain, it is his, he's not dead." Provenza says almost defending himself.
"Good." Sharon's voice sincere.
"What does that have to do with the sprinklers." Sanchez says, unlike him but curious.
"I know the owner of the hotel, he let me have hands on everything." She looks at him a gentle as her voice.
"Why didn't I know this." Provenza says grumpily.
"You would have if you would have told me about this." Sharon raises her hands, Captain Raydor finally returning to her body. Provenza is ready to defend himself but they are interrupted.
"Captain Sharon Raydor?" She turns around. "I'm Lieutenant Stuart Jones." She shakes his hand. "We need to take your report, need to see our FID officer." She nods.
"Jones?" Provenza calls. "How about me?" Sharon frowns she knew he didn't like this process, why was he pursuing it?
"You'll have your turn Lieutenant. Ladies first." Sharon senses his words too comfortable. She turns to him frowning.
"Hey Lieutenant Creep." She looks at Sykes coming back. "We all heard you over the ear piece, So don't be sly with us. Lieutenant Provenza, myself and the Captain and a few other men in there took a shot, we will all follow you." Her words strong and defensive.
Sharon understood that they were defending her but she had no idea why and was feeling whiplashed at their conversation hopping between them.
"Am I missing something?" Sharon looks at them.
"Yes and earpiece Captain." Sykes says walking towards her. She looks at them all confused.
"We can explain later." Provenza grumbles.
"Move along." Sykes gestures the Lieutenant, moving between him and Sharon.
They are back in the room where the shooting took place. Andy is directing orders, she sees no bodies which is a relief, she knows no one was killed.
"Captain Ana Wills." A tall, thin, middle aged woman holds out her hand to Sharon.
"Cap.." Sharon begins, putting out her hand.
"I know who you are. Captain Sharon Raydor, I'm from FID I'll need your statement and gun, for testing." She says politely.
"Can I see your FID badge?" Sharon says a little embarrassed.
"Ah. There she is the Captain I've heard about." She holds up her badge.
"You've heard about me?" Sharon asks intrigued she pulls out her gun. The other Captain pulls out a bag and Sharon drops it in, watching her label it.
"I have." She hands the bag to an officer behind her and gives him directions. Then returns and looks at Sharon. "I was going to LA for your job but they explained to me who you were and from what I know, no one can fill those shoes. Then they offered me lead here when they saw I was being taken away and I took it." She smiles, finally looking down and starts to fill out forms.
Sharon is embarrassed and suddenly feels even more uncomfortable than just because of her wet clothes sticking so close to her body. "They're doing quite fine without me. But thank you." She says to fill the silence.
Anna looks up at her and smiles. "Yes, I also donate for Jason's foundation. He warned me they may need me her today." She gives Sharon a paper to sign.
"Ah I've heard of you too. The famous Anna." Sharon finally feels relieved to be able to add to the conversation. She reads over the paper and signs it, handing it back.
"He likes to flatter woman." Anna says with a smirk.
Sharon laughs. "Yes he does." She thinks to herself how much Jason has flirted with her but a second later done it with two other woman, but still every compliment honest and true.
Anna fills out papers for a few minutes. "Can you give me a full run through of everything that happened because to my knowledge you weren't on this case, right?" She flips through her papers than looks at Sharon. Sharon explains herself and goes, step by step through everything that had happened even afterwards until the point she met her. Anna asks the occasional question but besides that she doesn't interrupt.
"Captain, it was great meeting you. I'll contact you about the weapon. Please stay till at least tomorrow morning. We have to clear a few, but your teams will be at the top."
"Thank you Anna, maybe I'll see you at one of the fundraisers events, Jason always brags about." Her voice friendly.
"No time for that." Anna says quickly.
"Hmm." Sharon says with a giggle. Anna looks at her as to understanding her. "Let's see, the next time we are invited we both go." Sharon says with a soft smile.
"Deal Captain, I really am glad to have met you." Anna smiles.
"Captain please call me Sharon." She holds out her hand.
"Anna." She says back they say goodbye and moves onto another officer.
Andy comes up to her as soon as he sees she is through, she turns at him and frowns.
"Quiet famous here." He says.
"Can you explain to me Lieutenant Jones, I think is his name." She is still frowning.
"Ah, That idiot, he was the one I was shouting at in the beginning when we were at the machines." He looks at her waiting for an expression of understanding.
"Which makes me understand the earpiece part. Go on." She says her frown clearing up.
Andy frowns now. "He thought you were attractive, but wasn't going by it like a gentleman to put it in polite words." He says upset.
Sharon shakes her head still confused, but understanding all the same.
"You alright, you weren't dizzy back there, what's going on?" He asks others still going by him.
"I'm alright, just freezing and ready to call Rusty." She says looking out in the distance.
Andy understands a little better now. "Where are you staying?"
"Same hotel as you." She looks at him.
"Whose the kid staying with?" He frowns.
"With an officer Johnson, I should have called him by now." She reaches for her phone.
"He's here, in Vegas?" A smile on his face.
"Yes, out and about." She smiles too.
"Lieutenant Flynn!" They call Andy. He groans wiping his forehead.
She can see tiredness in his eyes. "I'll meet you later, I still have an hour or so." He shrugs moving away.
Sharon stops him. "I'm not in a hurry," she looks around and points at a seat. He winks and walks away.
Provenza and Sanchez walk in and see her. She hadn't even noticed they had left. They walk towards her.
"You feeling better captain?" Sanchez asks.
She stands up. "Yes, thank you."
"We are waiting for Detective Sykes to give her recollection of things to FID." Provenza rolls his eyes.
"Yes where was she that she used her weapon?" Sharon is shivering.
"We were stationed outside Captain, on the first shot in here a dozen men swarmed through, we tried stoping them but two got out of hand. I couldn't restrain both of them so she took the shot." Sharon nods.
"Are you alright, were you checked." She resumes to her Captain voice and stance.
"I'm fine Captain." Sanchez says politely.
"We wanted to invite you for lunch then happy hour." Provenza says playfully, she smiles.
She looks around examining everything that had happened, how this was in fact their life and drinks was nothing out of the ordinary after a scare and action filled day like this one. This was her life, all of their lives. She turns back to them and nods.
"You'll have to do lunch without me, I'll join you for drinks. I need to talk to the Chief here. Or I suppose both Chiefs," she looks at her watch. "And clean up, I look awful." She knows her explanations are unnecessary but feels like she needs to give them anyway.
"You look good Captain." Sanchez says honestly. Sharon laughs, shaking her head.
"Oh Detective Sanchez, thank you." She smiles. The fact was that even with her clothes wet and the very little to no make up on her face she was in fact breathtaking. "But I don't feel to comfortable, I do need to change." She smiles.
"Drinks, for you and Andy?" Provenza tries clearing the small space of awkwardness that was occurring.
"Well I am not sure about Lieutenant Flynn." Andy comes and puts a towel around her. She startles a little. She sees him and embraces the towel. "Oh thank you I was freezing." She wraps herself. They all smile.
"What is it I'm doing?" He asks them.
"Lunch and Drinks." Provenza says.
"The Captain agreed to drinks." Sanchez says happily.
"Sign me up but late for drinks." Sharon frowns to herself. Late to drinks? But the others simply nod.
"Lieutenant Flynn." Someone calls him again he runs his hands on her arms ignoring for a moment that the other two were there. She smiles weakly not looking at any of them, shaking.
"Captain, I can drive you." Provenza says as Andy walks away.
"No, I'll wait. Lieutenant Flynn is going to the police station anyway." They accept her explanation and say goodbye.
Sharon takes the few minutes alone to call Rusty, he tells her he is in arcade near the hotel. She smiles to herself. All this way for another arcade? She tells him she'll meet him for a late lunch or dinner and they hang up, promising her he is staying at the officers side at all times.
Andy comes back several minutes later the scene cleared, only him and Sharon left. "You ready?" He says putting his hands on her shoulders from behind. She stands and he removes her towel. She frowns but he places a dry one around her.
She sighs out of comfort. "Thank you." She whispers. His hands run up and down her arms. "And whenever you're ready." She smiles, still shivering. He smiles and wraps his hands around her, she lies in his chest. She hums out of gratefulness his hands run up and down her back.
"Thank you for the sprinklers, it saved my life." He says softly.
"Provenza saved your life." She adds.
"Both of my sleeping partners saved my life." Andy says gratefully. She giggles into his chest and pulls away.
"Thank you, I feel better." He doesn't let go of his hold of her.
"You look stunning," his hand swipes her hair and he runs his finger tips on her check.
"I need a shower." She says looking at herself.
"You look stunning." He says again not taking his eyes off of hers.
"And you didn't glance at my legs or breast or my body to say that. My eyes look stunning?" She says smiling.
"Yes." He says quickly frowning at her.
She smiles and leans in he meets her lips. It is soft and gentle.
"Thank you," she says softly, caressing his cheek. Her body still trembling from the cold.
"For what." He holds her tighter trying to stop her from shaking again.
"For treating my like you do, I believe you when you say I look good, even when I don't." She smiles putting her head in his neck.
"Beautiful isn't just a name I call you it is what you are." He says running his hands along her body again. She smiles into his chest. She couldn't understand how he always knew what to say, he always had the perfect words to make her feel perfect. He waits for her to pull away. "Ready?" He smiles at her, she nods.
He takes her hand and they walk side by side. They stop at the police station and thank the Chief, he explains that Chief Taylor had come around a few minutes before them and he had filled him in on the events of that day.
"Not very happy was he?" Sharon asks.
"Not at all." Chief Ray says. "Upset with you Captain, says you've been ignoring his calls."
"I've been a little preoccupied." The Chief laughs.
"Yes, thank you for confiding in my team." He says still smiling.
"No thank you for the help, Silverstein will be out of Nevada as soon as he is taken care of at the hospital." Sharon looks at Andy who is being completely quiet.
It was as if the Chief noticed his silence too. "Lieutenant Flynn, I apologize for doubting you." He hold out his hand to shake it. "I should have never questioned if you were capable." Andy extends his hand and meets the Chiefs.
Sharon frowns, she had no idea about the conversation the previous day. "I doubted myself too." Andy says letting go of his hand. The Chief laughs.
"Well anyone of your men are welcomed back, Captain that includes you too." She thanks them and motions to leave but Chief Ray halts them.
"Captain I heard about my Lieutenants insinuations and comments. I intend to write him up. If you'd like to add any comments and complaints of your own against Lieutenant Jones." He gives her a file. Sharon looks at Andy and back at the file.
"No, no. Please, do not." She stutters, pushing back the papers.
Andy stays back, as much as he wants to take them and fill them out himself he knows Sharon is capable of taking care of this on her own and knows this decision is only hers to take.
"It's already written I was waiting to ask you to help me complete it, only if you'd like." He holds onto the papers not pressuring her to take them again.
Sharon takes a deep breath. "Chief, I will not stop you from doing what you feel is right. But I have nothing to report he didn't approach me directly, I am not even sure what comments he made. If I did I promise I'd have written it immediately." He smiles and nods putting the papers aside.
"I do not tolerate anything like this. And I hope you do not mind me saying that you are a very lovely woman, Captain but you deserve to be respected." He smiles gently. "No one will be disrespected especially if I can stop it."
"Chief, thank you. I appreciate that you are doing this, especially knowing that he is your right hand man." She shakes his hand again and both her and Andy leave.
There was a relief in Sharon, from something she didn't know she was feeling so heavy for. She had been feeling helpless having no control over the case, Andy taking lead, shooting a man, Andy being pointed at and the guilt of being involved in something she knew was dangerous and Rusty being oblivious to any of it, with a possibility of leaving him alone again. She wasn't conscience before this moment of the fact that their was a heaviness of being looked at like a piece of meat. It wasn't until that moment when Andy opened her car door that she realized how vulnerable she had felt throughout the day.
They get in the car. "Can we get to a shower?" She says as soon as Andy slides into his seat.
"Absolutely, maybe we can meet up to eat together afterwards." He didn't want to insinuate anything that could affect her more. "Only if you're feeling up to it." He smiles as he turns on the car and pulls out.
"Can you take it with me?" She says softly, he turns and looks at her she is looking at him tenderly with nothing but hope in her eyes.
"I'm rooming with Provenza you're with Rusty." He smiles, reaching for her hand, their fingers intertwine.
"Rusty isn't sleeping with me." She says quickly.
He smiles, watching the road. "I'd love to join you Gorgeous." He pulls her hand to his lips and kisses her, she didn't need to say anything else. She was always sure of herself and never worked to hard to look nice but there was something else besides beautiful that Andy made her feel when he held her and traced her body, admired her like he always did; she felt loved.
Note: I will be getting to suggestions soon, please let me get this story rolling but I do have them planned out and working on some too. And I don't mind more either.
Yes, I am planning on holiday chapters. Yes, Jack will be making an appearance. Yes, I will bring in the anonymous letters. Yes, the divorce topic will come up again. Yes, I unconsciously avoided Rusty a little in my last story I will try to place him in this story more. Yes, I am trying to wrap my mind around the other suggestions and questions. And yes, I appreciate all of you taking the time to review and read!