She was really paying the price for taking off a few days after New Year's Day to be with her kids in Utah to ski. Right now, Sharon was buried in paperwork and wishing she was still away skiing with her kids. It was already the middle of January; the month was flying by, and all she wanted to do was get out of work. She was contemplating just signing everything, not really reading through the paperwork, but she knew that wasn't her style. She was detail-oriented. She always read through all the reports; it was her job, and she wasn't going to let the mound of paperwork discourage her now. It was just after 5:30, and really, she should be going home. Her office staff was trickling out of the building; they had that understanding. If their work was done, and it was after 5:00, they were free to go, unless told otherwise. Today had been a pretty normal day for her and by a quick glance and calculation, she had probably another hour or hour and a half of work. She debated splitting that time in half; she could work another half hour to forty-five minutes and leave, with the idea to come in early the next morning. She wrinkled her nose at that after a few moments debating it. That never worked well. Something always surfaced, a case, something, and she just needed to buckle down and finish her work. She could use a cup of coffee. That would help, and she quickly grabbed it and stood, intent on a caffeine boost.

"Ahh, Captain," she heard and looked up to find Andy Flynn at her door again. She frowned and immediately started going through the remaining paperwork.

"Lieutenant Flynn, I don't believe we had an appointment, did we?" she asked, still searching through her notes.

"No, ahh, your secretary was already gone for the day. I briefly knocked, but I didn't get an answer. Your light was on, so I'm sorry to barge in on you."

"You knocked?" Sharon asked, shaking her head. "I'm sorry I didn't hear you. I was lost in thought, going over my paperwork to do."

"Not a problem," he clasped his hands in front of him, still waiting for her to invite him into her office. She looked up from her paperwork.

"I'm sorry, but I've been out of town, and I don't have a report file on you. My sergeant didn't alert me to anything either involving you. Care to explain the issue?" Sharon met his gaze, her hands braced on her desk. She stood up and crossed her arms.

"No problem," he held up his hands in defense. "I know," he smirked. "That never happens, a true rarity, that I've come here of my own accord."

"Oh," she said, surprised and moved her head back indicating her surprise. "Right, well, yes, our doors are always open, contrary to opinion. We aren't just here to investigate police. My division does other things. Please, have a seat," she gestured. "What can I do for you?"

"Are you sure it's okay this late?" Andy asked.

Sharon glanced at her watch, "Lieutenant it's not even 6:00. While other jobs operate on a 9-5 type of schedule, you and I both know this job is anything but ordinary. Now, say you barge in during the middle of the night for a work-related matter," she gave him a quick glance as she sat and pulled her chair to her desk, "we might have a problem."

"I'll keep this brief," he said at the end of her last sentence. "Did you have a nice Christmas?" Andy looked to her, and she looked back, almost a confused look on her face.

"Fine, yes. I worked a lot. I just saw my kids; we went skiing," she informed him.

"I had a good Christmas too, the first in a long time, and I wanted to thank you," he gave her a small smile. "Yes, that's right; I'm almost extending the olive branch, thank you, head of FID," he lightly chuckled.

"Thank me?" Sharon asked.

"I didn't drink. I haven't had a drink; I'm still on the wagon," he nodded as he detailed things to her. She pursed her lips and nodded.

"I didn't get a report from Chief Johnson and saw you briefly in the hall right after Christmas. That's good," she nodded. "Thanking me, though, isn't necessary. That was all your work."

"Maybe," he gave a slight shrug. "You did take the bottles from me, and you were kind enough to not throw me out. I mean, sure," he shrugged, "you let me think your grocery list was a report for work, and you didn't put up with my crap. Thanks."

"Oh, well, you're welcome," she held a tight smile. She glanced at him, and he nodded to her. "I'm glad you decided to stay sober."

"Yeah, I had a great day on Christmas with my kids. We did go to that movie my son wanted, and it was actually pretty good," he flashed a small smile.

"It's good to see you dealing with everything, and I'm glad you were able to spend time with your kids. Remember them the next time you think about drinking," she cleared her throat and glanced at her stack of paperwork.

"Good advice," he nodded and stood. "I won't keep you any longer. So, this is what it's like to leave your office without some extra training or a lecture on police matters," he smirked. "Night, Captain, and again, I'm sorry for barging in on you a few weeks ago."

"Have a good evening, Lieutenant," she said, already looking back to her paperwork. "If I can finish this, I'm very much looking forward to my tuna and noddle casserole at home."

Andy's hand was on the door as she said that. He bent his head and tried not to laugh. As he opened the door, he called out to her, "Never much cared for that casserole, but I'd suggest heating it up, Captain."