CHAPTER FOUR :: A/N: Here it is, as promised! See, I'm on a roll.

Thank you to everyone for the lovely response to the last chapter - you have no idea how much I appreciate you all.

Huge thanks also to lontanissima for the wonderful beta job on this chapter. You manage to push me that little bit further and you always make me better than I am.

CHAPTER FOUR :: Hold On A Little Longer

Andy had finally fallen asleep, the emotional exhaustion that the day had wrought upon him catching up to him at last. He lay on his side facing away from her where she sat next to him, watching him slumber.

Even in sleep, his face was a mask of grief and pain. Peace was yet to find him, it seemed - Sharon had a feeling that may be the case for quite some time to come.

She jumped, startled, when her phone began to vibrate on the nightstand beside her. She snatched it up quickly, fearful of waking Andy now that he had at last drifted off. She checked the caller ID, raising her eyes skyward when she saw Provenza's name.

"Lieutenant," she answered quietly as she pushed herself off the bed, moving across the room to stand at the window, looking out at the lights of the relatively unfamiliar city below. "What can I do for you?"

The view of the Manhattan skyline from this particular part of Brooklyn Heights was breathtaking and she allowed the beauty of the vista to draw her in, calming her thoughts as she waited for her second-in-command to speak.

"I've been trying to get a hold of Flynn, but he's not answering," came the grumpy reply. "I just wanted to check that everything was okay."

"He's sleeping," Sharon responded, stifling a yawn. She hadn't realised how tired she was herself. "It's been a…difficult…day."

Something in her voice must have given her away - she kept forgetting how well this particular subordinate could read her now - because his manner immediately shifted, his belligerent tone softening.

"Do you need help, Sharon? With…anything?"

"No, I've got this, Lieutenant. Thank you." Sharon closed her eyes and exhaled quietly. "Although actually…if you could check on Rusty for me, I would appreciate it. Only if you have the time." She hadn't called him yet today and she felt guilty for that, but honestly, she really didn't know what to say to him. He would know immediately that something was wrong, and she really couldn't face any searching questions right now. "I'm sure he's fine, but…"

"A little reassurance never does any harm," Provenza acknowledged, understanding radiating through his voice. "I'll take him out for burgers tonight, make sure he doesn't need anything."

"Thank you, Lieutenant."

Sharon's voice shook a little as gratitude filled her eyes with tears, before they drifted back to the sleeping form on the bed. She felt slightly guilty for remaining so aloof with Provenza, but to be honest his compassion was more than she could handle at the moment. She had to keep the conversation as formal as possible. If she allowed him to comfort her now she would break, she knew. Then she would be of no use to Andy whatsoever. She sighed again. The day's events had apparently left her emotional state in something of a mess, too.

"And Sharon," Provenza continued. "I'm just at the other end of the phone, okay?"

She almost came undone, then. Whether it was his use of her given name, or the caring in his voice, she wasn't sure, but she was on the very edge of becoming a sobbing mess.

"I know," she managed to whisper, her voice cracking.

"Alright then." He cleared his throat, embarrassed at obviously having made her cry. "You take care now, Captain."

"Thank you, Lieutenant. I will."

Sharon ended the call and stood for a moment at the window, her face resting against the cold glass. Once she had composed herself enough that she was sure she wouldn't disturb Andy, she made her way back towards the bed, climbing on top of the covers carefully. Propping herself on her elbow behind Andy, she stroked his forehead softly with her fingertips as she leaned down to kiss his face. He made a small noise of contentment at her touch, shifting slightly and reaching backwards, blindly seeking her hand. Her fingers wandered slowly down his arm until they reached his outstretched hand, entwining with his immediately.

"Love you, Sharon," Andy murmured, his voice heavy with sleep.

He tugged her hand gently forwards in his own until it was nestled against his chest and she took the opportunity to settle down to rest for a while, her arm wrapped around him and her body pressed flush against his back. As he drifted back off to sleep, she nuzzled her face into his hair, kissing his neck softly.

"I love you, too," she whispered just below his ear. The tiny squeeze to her hand told her that he heard her and she allowed herself a small smile at how adorable he was, even in sleep.

Tomorrow was a new day, Sharon thought as she finally allowed her eyes to fall closed. All they had to do now was hold on.

Sharon woke with a start the next morning to the enticing aroma of freshly brewed coffee that filled the hotel room - and the decidedly less enticing empty space on the bed next to her. She hummed and stretched, scrunching her nose in discomfort as she realised she had slept in yesterday's clothes. She had only meant to rest for a few minutes when she lay down - apparently her body had other ideas.

Movement across the room caught her eye and she looked over to see Andy heading towards her, freshly showered and carrying a large mug of steaming coffee. Sharon was pleased to notice that he looked fairly well rested, although his dark eyes retained a haunted expression that she longed to be able to heal. She smiled up at him as he placed the mug on the nightstand beside her before sitting on the bed, his arm going across her body to take his weight as he leaned in to kiss her good morning.

His lips were soft as they met hers and she delighted in the feel of him as the light brushing of his mouth against hers gave way to firmer, yet no less tender, caresses. She lifted a hand to the back of his neck, eyes slipping closed and her fingers playing with his hair as he sucked her bottom lip into his mouth.

"Hey," he murmured between kisses, his fingers stroking her hair away from her face gently.

He ran his tongue along her bottom lip and she moaned softly, her own tongue darting out to meet his as she deepened the kiss further. Andy's hand glided slowly down her body, barely grazing the side of her breast as he passed, causing her to arch into him, another moan escaping her throat. His lips moved from her mouth to carefully trace the line of her jaw and she took the opportunity to finally respond to his earlier greeting.

"Hi."

Andy paused in the highly arousing ministrations he was indulging in with his mouth against her neck and looked up at her, an amused glint in his darkened gaze. He allowed the hand at her side to fall lower, until his fingers were able to slip underneath the top that she wore. He pushed it up and she immediately pulled it over her head, discarding it on the floor where it was instantly forgotten, along with her hastily-removed bra. His sweater and t-shirt were the next items to go and Sharon ran her hands across his chest as he settled himself above her once more.

For a brief moment, it occurred to her that maybe he was doing this to deflect from his feelings about everything else that was happening around him. It wouldn't be like him to do so, but he had been so very broken the previous night that she worried he may be replacing alcohol with sex as a method of numbing his pain. She ran her hand along his jaw, her piercing green eyes silently searching his face, trying to get a read on him as he watched her intently.

"How are you doing?" she asked softly, her fingers moving into his hair to stroke through the short strands.

"Better." His voice was still shaky but the look in his eyes was gentle and sure - a far cry from the desperate, almost feral look they had carried the night before. "Really," he added at the sight of her raised eyebrow. He smiled as he dropped a kiss onto the tip of her nose. "I'm not okay yet - nowhere near, if I'm honest - but I'm not the guy who was in the bar yesterday. I'm not in that place any more."

"Good." She believed him. Her eyes softened, her fingers tracing his hairline as her other hand stroked down his back causing him to shudder, his eyes darkening again with want. "And together," she continued, her gaze never leaving his face, "we will make sure you don't go back there again. You're not alone with this, Andy."

He cradled her face in his hands, his thumbs stroking her temples lightly.

"I know," he whispered as he placed tiny kisses across her face. "And I'm grateful for you every single day."

His mouth was on hers again as he gently used a powerful thigh to nudge her legs apart, settling himself comfortably between them. Strong hands stroked her skin as his lips moved to her breast, his tongue swirling around the hardened peak. Sharon let out a long, low hum as he worked first one breast and then the other, her body reacting to every movement, her skin tingling as if there were rivers of white-hot flame flowing through her - from his mouth straight to her core. Andy's own arousal was evident, even through his jeans and Sharon could feel the heat pooling at her centre in response. She lifted her hips slightly to grind herself against him, earning a shuddering groan from deep in his throat that vibrated against her skin, heightening the sensations further.

It was as his fingers moved to the buttons of her pants that they were interrupted by the buzzing of his cell phone.

"Dammit!" Andy sighed heavily, resting his head against Sharon's shoulder for a second before looking up at her, frustration clouding his face. "I have a call in to a friend at the NYPD. I should really take it."

She nodded quickly, touching a reassuring hand to his face.

"Of course you must." She prodded him gently when he hesitated. "Go!"

As he crossed the room to take the call, Sharon pushed herself upright, tugging the comforter around her as she lifted her coffee from the nightstand. Taking a long drink, she tried to ignore the various parts of her body that were practically vibrating with need, crying out for his touch.

Finally, she could take it no longer. As he paced across the room in front of the bed one more time, shirtless, his muscles flexing as he gestured along with his speech, she decided now would be the perfect time to take a shower. It was either that or jump him while he was in the middle of his conversation - and that did not seem to be the appropriate solution.

Grabbing her clothes up from the floor, she motioned her plan to Andy and almost ran into the bathroom, closing the door firmly behind her and leaning heavily against it with a sigh.

When Sharon emerged a little while later, it was to an apologetic but resolutely more upbeat Andy. He was sitting at the small desk in the corner of the room, her laptop open in front of him as he carefully studied a map of the area. She came to stand behind him, wrapping her arms around his neck as she kissed his cheek softly.

"Sorry I ran away," she murmured next to his ear. "I needed to…cool off a little."

He smirked up at her and she felt a blush creeping across her cheeks - an occurrence which appeared to delight the man in front of her. Reaching up, he took hold of her arm and tugged her around to the side of him, before gently pulling her down into his lap. His hand slid into her hair as he closed the distance between them, pressing his lips to hers in the sweetest of kisses.

"I can't think why," he replied blithely. She scowled at him in response, which only caused his smirk to widen even more - until she narrowed her eyes dangerously. "Anyway," he continued, changing the subject before she could decide to punish him for his cheek. "I think I know what I'm going to do about Danny."

Sharon's expression softened instantly and she relaxed into him, her fingers absently playing with the short hair at the back of his neck.

"What did you decide?" she asked softly.

"Nick - my friend at the NYPD - found out that Abby's dad still lives here in Brooklyn. Not far from the hotel, actually. So, I think I'm going to go see him - give him the recording." Sharon continued to listen, a small but encouraging smile gracing her lips. "He's the only one who really matters in all this," Andy continued, reassured by her expression. "Danny will die either way - probably within a few days - so he'll never have to deal with the consequences. His kids…well, maybe they never have to find out - and if they do, they'll get through it together. But her dad…" His voice cracked and he dropped his gaze as he fought to regain his composure. "Her dad has lived with this for over thirty years, never knowing what happened…never knowing who took his baby girl away." The tears were escaping now and Sharon touched a hand to his face tenderly as her eyes filled with sorrow. "He deserves to know, Sharon. He deserves the truth."

He looked up at her then, his eyes begging her to understand his decision. She nodded firmly.

"He does," she agreed as she caressed his cheek.

"What he does with it after that is his decision," Andy added firmly.

"I agree with you." Sharon smiled at the look of surprise that crossed his handsome features. "I think you've made absolutely the right choice. I'm proud of you."

She kissed his forehead as his arms slipped around her waist, holding her close.

"Thank you." It was a whisper, but it was heartfelt.

They held each other tight for a few moments, the relief that a decision had been made finally lifting some of the weight that they each had been carrying for the past 24 hours.

"There's something else I need to do, before I visit Abby's father." Andy spoke finally, his voice stronger now.

"What is it?"

"I need to find a meeting and I was wondering - would you come with me?"

His expression was so earnest, so pleading, that she could no more have refused him in that moment than she could fly to the moon.

"Are you sure?"

He nodded sadly.

"I need you, Sharon. I want to make sure I hit a meeting - and not a bar…"

He smiled ruefully at her but his eyes were dull again now, raw pain simmering just below the surface. He really didn't trust himself, she realised sadly, her heart breaking for him all over again.

"Of course I'll go with you." She pressed her lips to his, humming lightly as his hand slid up her back to cradle her neck. "Whatever you need. We do this together."

It was late morning when they arrived on the quiet, residential street where Abby's father still lived. Andy had been surprised that he had stayed in the same place - he remembered frequently visiting this home over the year that he and Abby were together, recalled how it had been a happy place, full of warmth and love. Now, it just seemed sad to him as he stood on the street outside. Maybe that was the effect that thirty years of pain had on a place.

Sharon gave his hand a reassuring squeeze, snapping him out of his reverie. He turned to look down at her and smiled sadly.

"Are you sure you don't want me to come in with you?" she offered.

He had decided after the AA meeting that he would speak with Abby's father alone and while Sharon understood why, she hated the idea of him being unsupported. He squeezed her hand this time, before bringing it to his lips to bestow a kiss upon her palm.

"I'm sure. I need to talk to him alone."

She frowned slightly but nodded.

"Alright." She stood on tiptoes so that she could press a quick kiss to his lips. "I'll be in the coffee shop across the street. Call me if you need me."

He nodded, leaning down to kiss her once more before taking a deep breath and heading resolutely up the front porch steps and into his past.

It had been an hour since Andy had disappeared into the small, single-storey house across the street from where Sharon now sat, gazing out of the window of the almost-empty café. She was on her second cup of coffee - her third if she counted the one she had drunk back at the hotel - and the tiny knot of anxiety that had formed in the pit of her belly was beginning to grow into a rather larger, caffeine-fuelled mass.

Finally, she saw him emerge and make his way slowly towards her building. He looked tired and drawn, as if the meeting had taken every ounce of energy he had left. She stood as he entered the coffee shop, moving towards him quickly. Seeing her coming, he opened his arms just as she reached him, pulling her into a tight hug. Andy held her close for several minutes, just breathing in her familiar scent, allowing her warmth to seep into him, and drag him back to the present - back to her.

"Let's get out of here," he murmured eventually, taking her hand when she agreed and exiting the café to the street outside.

Leading Sharon onto the sidewalk, he wrapped a strong arm around her shoulders, tucking her into his side as they walked together in the freezing winter air. She moved her own arm to rest at his waist and he smiled down at her, dropping a kiss onto the top of her head.

"How did it go?" she asked quietly after they had walked a couple of blocks.

Andy slowed as he considered his response, before stopping altogether and turning to face her, taking her hands in his own.

"It was good," he decided at last. "I mean, it was awful…" Sharon nodded sadly. Of course it was - a conversation like that was always a terrible one to have, whatever the circumstances. "But it was good, too," Andy continued firmly. "He was grateful to find out the truth. I think some of the things he imagined over the years were so terrible that this came as something of a relief."

Sharon hummed thoughtfully as she considered his words, her heart hurting for the elderly gentleman they were now leaving behind them.

"I left him my details," Andy added. "In case he goes to the police. They'll obviously want to contact me to verify the situation and obtain the original recording." He gave her a knowing look. This was his way of acquiescing to the rules - and he wanted to make sure she knew it. She smiled sweetly at him, but resolutely refused to give him the satisfaction of a verbal response. Typical. He grinned at her, shaking his head.

Another thought crossed Andy's mind then, and he let out a mirthless laugh.

"I always worried that he thought it was me that killed her - I'm sure there are several people who did - but today he said…" Andy raised his eyes to the sky, fighting back the emotion as the old man's words came back to him. "He said he knew I couldn't have done it, because all he ever saw when I looked at her, was love. He was right, Sharon. I did love her. I loved her so much…"

His face crumpled then and she caught him as his body sagged, her arms going tightly around his neck. He clung to her as deep, shuddering breaths racked his body, as he at last allowed himself to grieve for the girl he had lost a lifetime ago. Relief flooded through him, replacing the anguish he had been carrying for so long as he suddenly realised that, with Sharon, he had finally found the strength to let go of the past. With her, he had found hope for a future that was worth holding on to.