Sharon was relieved to get out of the office and head home to get ready for the wedding. She knew she was in for an intense night, but was thankful for a distraction from the case and Kris's mom. She really did like weddings. That wasn't a lie. As she stood in front of her closet, trying to find something appropriate for a captain attending a wedding with her lieutenant, the reality of what was happening hit her.

She hopped in and out of the shower quickly, checked the clock and began hurriedly putting on her make-up. Andy would be picking her up in about 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, Andy was a bundle of nerves. He called his daughter to assure her he would be there, and she sounded relieved. As he hung up the phone, he was grateful the Captain had talked him into going. He put on a tuxedo he had rented last minute from a shop down the street from the precinct. He took one last look in the mirror before heading out to his car to pick up his "buffer".

Andy knocked on the door, and with one last look in the mirror, Sharon hurriedly opened the door. She stopped in her tracks. "Lieutenant! Wow!" He raised his eyebrow at her inquisitively. "You look really nice!"

"Thanks, Ca—" he paused and smiled, "Sharon. It's not every day your daughter gets married." Sharon smiled at him, proud of the decision he was making. "You're not looking so bad yourself!" Sharon blushed and gestured out the door. Andy caught a whiff of her perfume and smiled.

The car ride to the church was filled with pleasant small talk about their kids and their lives. Sharon learned that Nicole met her fiancé at the accounting firm she worked at. They had been together for two years when he proposed, and he had never seen his baby girl happier. Andy learned that Sharon's daughter had left for Julliard after graduating, and then joined the American Ballet Theatre. He could see her pride and admired how she'd been able to raise such successful kids, even with an absent husband.

They arrived and Andy quickly got out of the car to open the door for Sharon. They stepped inside. Sharon nudged him and gestured to the right. Andy looked and saw the bride's room. His daughter was getting ready for the ceremony and she looked absolutely stunning. Sharon watched as his nervous expression turned to admiration. Sharon nodded her permission for Andy to join her, and Sharon found a seat in the church.

Sharon made herself comfortable, listened to the pre-ceremony music and enjoyed the general splendor of the event. The music changed as the ushers began escorting the guests of honor down the aisle. A young man walked a woman, Andy's son and ex-wife she guessed, down the aisle. They had talked a lot about their children, but they had both avoided discussing their exes in their conversation. When she sat down, she turned momentarily and noticed Sharon sitting a few rows behind her. The woman didn't recognize her and seemed a bit bothered by a stranger's presence at her daughter's wedding. Sharon just smiled and turned to watch as the wedding party took their turn down the aisle. Finally the music changed and everyone stood. Sharon looked to the back of the church and saw Andrew Flynn, proud father, beaming from the back with a beautiful young woman on his arm. Another man followed closely behind on her other side. Andy accompanied her all the way down the aisle and met the priest at the end.

"Who gives this woman away?" the priest asked. Andy responded, "Her mother, stepfather, and I do." He embraced his daughter, gave her a kiss on the cheek and moved to join Sharon in the pew as Nicole's stepfather did the same. Sharon squeezed Andy's hand as he sat. He was aware of her touch, but at that moment, he only had eyes for Nicole.

At the end of the ceremony, Andy joined his family in a reception line. Sharon followed the crowd through the line. When she reached Nicole and her husband, Andy turned around and made the introduction. "Nicole, Steve, this is my friend Sharon."

"It's such a pleasure to meet you. Nicole, I've heard so much about you. Congratulations to both of you!" Sharon smiled and shook both of their hands.

"Hi, Sharon, it's our pleasure to meet you too. Thank you for coming!" Nicole replied. As Sharon continued down the line, Nicole smiled nodded approvingly at her dad. He was confused by her reaction, but didn't have time to question it as the guests continued through the line.

Andy and Sharon headed to the reception and found two seats at a table with two of Andy's brothers, Patrick and Brian. Andy made introductions around the table and Sharon smiled politely and listened attentively as they ate dinner, shared inside jokes and razzed each other about anything and everything. She was happy that it seemed Andy did have some family at the wedding that didn't mind him being there. She laughed politely as Andy's sister-in-law swatted at his brother for a rather crude joke made about a former girlfriend, when she noticed Andy's son making his way over to their table.

"Danny, boy! Get over here!" Patrick hollered at him. Daniel smiled at his uncle, but seemed a bit less warm when greeting his dad.

"Hey, Kid, thanks for coming over. I'd like you to meet Sharon. Sharon, this is my son, Daniel." Sharon smiled and shook his hand.

Brian pulled out an empty chair between him and Sharon. "Sit, stay for awhile!" Daniel didn't look like he had really wanted to stay. He was just intending to say a quick hello out of obligation. However, he sat and chatted with his aunts and uncles about what he was doing in college and if he had any girlfriends these days. He seemed to ease up a bit around them. The D.J. announced that it was time for the father/daughter dance. Andy turned to Sharon and said, "I'll be back. I'll grab us some more drinks on the way back." Sharon smiled at him as he walked up to dance with his little girl. She watched them sway and talk, smiling the whole time. Sharon even saw him tear up a bit as Nicole held onto her dad and moved to the music. She pictured Jack and Emily up there and hoped Emily would get to have that moment with her dad someday. Soon it was Nicole's stepfather's turn to dance with the bride. Andy made his way towards the bar and Sharon turned to listen to Daniel talk to his aunt about a computer class he was taking.

"My son started up an internet security company with some of his classmates from college a few years in Palo Alto," Sharon chimed in. "I don't understand much of what comes out of his mouth when he talks about it, but it sounds like a great field to get into. Are you liking your classes?" Daniel lit up and began going on in the same way Ricky used to about technology, and she smiled as she saw him discussing what he was passionate about. Daniel began asking about her kids and her job, not realizing her connection to his father.

"Well, I spend most of my career working in Internal Affairs at the LAPD, but after threatening to retire, I was offered command of the Major Crimes Division where you dad now works.

"Wow, you worked in IA? Dad never had kind things to say about any of you," Daniel started, but then realized his comment might be construed as rude. Sharon laughed. That remark reminded her of Rusty. "I guess it really says something that he's actually friends with you," he added.

"Ah, yes," Sharon smiled, taking no offense. "Well, your father does have quite the file, as I'm sure you're aware. Our acquaintance started a bit rocky. But it has improved. Plus it doesn't hurt that I'm out of there and he's finally seen that I actually am a human being," she joked. Brian laughed, and Daniel smiled at her. He appreciated hearing that his dad was making an effort to change at work too.

Sharon noticed Andy had been gone awhile. She looked around and didn't see him. She excused herself and decided to locate the restroom. She exited the hall and as she turned the corner down the hall, she overheard Lisa and Andy having a quiet, yet heated discussion. She stopped where she was. "So you weren't even sure yesterday if you were coming to your daughter's wedding, and then you not only show up, but with a date? What is going on, Andy? Who is this woman? This hardly seems the appropriate time to introduce us to your new girlfriend."

"What does it matter who she is? Look, I didn't bring her to start a fight. You know I'm trying to make things right with Nicole and Daniel. Sharon's here for support. No one else seems offended by her presence. What exactly is your problem, here?" Sharon could hear that Andy was struggling to keep his cool. As much as she didn't want to intrude, she wanted to keep him from losing his temper and spoiling what was otherwise turning out to be a successful evening.

She rounded the corner and feigned surprise as she saw Andy and Lisa. "Oh, excuse me," she smiled, "I'm just looking for the ladies' room. Can either of you point me in the right direction?"

Andy was momentarily relieved for the interruption, but his blood began to boil a bit again when Lisa shot a look at Andy, put a fake smile and stated, "Sharon. I've been hearing all about you." Sharon looked quizzically at Andy and he shrugged in response.

"You must be Nicole's mother," Sharon replied, holding out her hand.

"Lisa."

"Lisa, it's nice to meet you. It was a beautiful wedding and the reception is just lovely," Sharon continued, not sure what else to say.

"Thank you. The restrooms are that way." Lisa replied. Sharon couldn't read her face.

"Great," Sharon replied. She looked at Andy and mouthed the word "breathe". She hesitated another moment, and said, "If you'll excuse me…" Sharon gestured to towards the restroom, and Lisa nodded. Sharon hoped that bought Andy enough time to collect himself.

On her way into the restroom, Sharon saw Nicole and her team of bridesmaids helping her out, giggling about how using the bathroom had somehow become a team sport. Sharon smiled to herself when Nicole noticed she had walked in.

"Hi! Oh, Sharon! I'm so glad I've finally bumped into you. Dad told me during our dance about your hand in getting him here today, and I can't thank you enough. I know our family must seem a little messy."

"Oh, messy families are kind of my area of expertise! But, I know how my daughter would feel if her father missed her wedding. I know he very much wanted to be here, I was happy to nudge him the right direction," Sharon smiled.

Nicole surprised Sharon by giving her a very friendly hug. "Thank you! It means everything to have him here." Sharon returned the hug and watched as Nicole and her team continued out the door. Nicole paused and called back to her, "I hope I'll get the chance to talk to you again tonight, Sharon. Enjoy the party!"

Sharon grinned. A few minutes later, Sharon made her way back to the table and was happy to see Andy was sitting, and that Lisa was across the room. "Everything going alright, Andy?" she inquired.

"I think so. That conversation with my ex you walked in on wasn't the most comfortable, but she had heard Nicole and Daniel talking about you, and I don't know what she thought. Luckily your interruption broke the tension, and I was able to get away." Andy sighed, "Otherwise, it has been a great night. No regrets. I hope my kids keep giving me the chance to make things better. I sure don't deserve it, but I'm grateful I've gotten it."

Andy watched the dance floor as Nicole danced a fast number with her new stepsons. Sharon patted his arm. "Why don't we get out there and join them?"

"Really? You don't have to do that," Andy seemed unsure.

"It's a wedding. C'mon." Andy shrugged and followed Sharon to the floor. Andy began to really enjoy himself, dancing with Sharon and Nicole and the kids. It was fun to watch Sharon let loose a little and he was just starting to do the same when the music changed to a slow number.

Andy hesitated, uncomfortable with the idea of a slow dance with his boss, but he was having too great a night, thanks to her, and he made his second bold move of the day. He held out his hand to Sharon. Andy could tell she was a little unsure too, but she took his hand and they danced. She couldn't help but notice how good he smelled and how well he wore that tuxedo, but she shook her head as she reminded herself who she was dancing with.

Andy looked at her and smiled, "What?" he asked.

"Nothing, just…I had a fun night."

"Thanks for being here Sharon. You're a good buffer." Andy smiled unconsciously pulled her in a little closer as they finished the dance.

As Andy drove Sharon home that night, they relived the night. Andy remarked again about how beautiful his daughter was, how great his new son-in-law seemed, and how Daniel had approached him before they left and told him he'd call him later about meeting him for dinner some night. Sharon was so happy for him. Andy parked in her garage and insisted on walking her up to her condo. Sharon unlocked her door and turned around to say good night. Andy eyed the officer standing in the hallway. Rusty had returned. Not wanting the officer to make any assumptions (rumors can spread fast at the LAPD), he simply looked her in the eye and quietly said, "Thank you. For everything."

"It was my pleasure, Andy. Good night."

"Good night, Sharon."