7. Getting Back Out There

Prompt: Can I prompt something? After Sharon's separation with Jack, she goes out on a date with a lawyer or someone (maybe Gavin set them up) and runs into Andy. Thank you in advance!

A/N: Side note kind of, but I'll be updating the last chapter of I am Innocent next week. Be on the look out for that!

Enjoy!


Sharon fluffed her hair one last time and sighed softly. This was as much volume that would go back into it after a long, hot day in Los Angeles. She wishes she had chosen to shower before, maybe her hair would be a tad better and her skin wouldn't have a sheen of oil covering it, but she really didn't mind that much.

She had expressly told Gavin she wasn't ready to get back out there just yet. Nor did she really have the time. Her latest promotion in IA had her thrilled and worried at the same time. A better pay, but more people to hate her. Seemed the two went hand-in-hand when it came to internal affairs.

"Okay. I won't be out late. Call me if you need anything," Sharon said softly to her son. Ricky nodded from the counter, not looking up from his work. He had a senior paper due in a few days and had poured all of his energy into that and college applications. The bar stool was empty next to him. The place where Emily would sit to do her papers too.

Emily had left for New York just that year, and the condo wasn't the same. Sharon desperately missed her daughter, but was happy Emily was making a life for herself.

"Have fun," Ricky mumbled, not from lack of interest, but rather to not break his focus. Sharon reflexively kissed his temple and turned to the door.

As it clicked softly behind her, she wrist unconsciously jiggled the knob to make sure it was locked. Sharon let out a breath and straightened her dress.

Her eyes wandered the small bar before they landed on her date. Sharon had only met him twice before at Gavin's firm. Gavin had introduced them before taking her to lunch both times, but he seemed different at this moment. More relaxed and confident, Sharon thought.

He waved her over gently.

"Hi," Sharon said.

"You look great," he greeted, his lips brushing her cheek.

"Thank you," Sharon whispered. She didn't quite feel great but his opinion would have to convince her.

At the corner of the bar, Andy caught sight of her legs. God, he could pinpoint all of the female police officer legs anywhere. Especially hers. Her toned calfs flexed enticingly in the red Steve Madden pumps. The pale grey dress she was wearing flared just above her knees. Her steps had it swinging distractedly from her hips. Hips that were gorgeously defined by a silk red sash tied tight on the small of her back. Andy spun the glass tumbler in his hands.

Rumor had it she had just gotten a divorce or something Catholic equivalent. It seemed that she was on a date. A posh looking man had his hand hovering over the curve of her spine and it certainly did not belong to Jack. Andy bit his lip. He almost had the nerve to tell the guy to let up so the dress would swing some more.

Andy's eyes stayed glued on her body as the two approached the hostess. She calmly led them back the way they came, her date passed by him and Andy was ever so grateful her eyes were fixed on the little waterfall in the center of the room, else things were bound to get awkward.

He watched with slated eyes as her date pulled out her chair and gently pushed her in. Her back was towards his to he leaned back in his seat in order to get a full look at her. Her auburn hair was curled loosely and looked stunning cascading down the v-back of her dress.

Why doesn't she wear that to work one day? Andy doubted people would hate her after then.

He was personally indecisive about Sharon. He had ran into her a few times for bending a rule or three and a few times like these. She seemed relaxed and subdued. Both she could never feel at work.

Eventually, her date's eyes meet his for seconds too long. Sharon made to turn, but the date was quick to pull her attention back to him. He shot Andy one last pointed look and delved back into conversation with Sharon.

It was her gentle laughter that had Andy's attention back on her. From the way Sharon's head was tilted, Andy could tell a big smile was playing across her lips.

Lips that he had noticed early were painted red to match her shoes and silk sash. She was clearly dressed to impress and it seemed he was too. First date, the detective in Andy concluded. He tore his eyes painstakingly from the vision that was Sharon. Her date looked like he could easily take Andy if it came to it. And given Andy's slightly inebriated state (nothing he wasn't used to dealing with), it would be an easy win.

He didn't know how long he was fighting to keep his gaze from her, but a soft spoken voice from beside him brought him out of his thought.

There Sharon stood, her heels together, toes turned slightly out, thin fingers gripping a bold red Coach clutch.

"Excuse," she said to the bartender. "Can you point me towards the restrooms please?"

The bartender smiled eagerly, "Just down this hall. First door on your left." Andy just couldn't keep his eyes from her any longer. They made quick work of glancing her over; a practiced skill he had acquired through working with her. Dare his eyes last longer on her than appropriate and he'd end up as hated as her. Heck, the department would probably think they would go good together. But this time, he spent a second too long glancing her over. He blamed it on the dress and silk sash.

"Andy," she let out incredulously. He nodded his head in greeting, not trusting his words to be appropriate. Andy thought that would be it. Sharon had already, in a way, said hello, now she would use the restroom and get back to her date. But she didn't move. His eyes met hers and he could tell the cliche, What are you doing here? was playing on her tongue. He shrugged, wordlessly answering her unspoken question.

"Are you having a good evening?" He ventured. Andy could not tell what possessed him to strike up a conversation with her, but he wouldn't be a complete asshole.

"I am. Can you wait a second? I'm just going to um go…." Andy watched as her fingers awkwardly angled in the direction of the toilets. He smiled genuinely.

"I'm not going anywhere." She matched his smile. His eyes were glued to her as she strode down the hall. He tried not to be too impatient, but he thought she was gone for longer than necessary.

When she finally did appear, she stood on the other side of him. His tumbler, which had been making it's way towards his mouth, sloshed the auburn liquor onto his dress pants.

"Here," Sharon offered as she handed him a wad of napkins from the dispenser on the bar top. He took them graciously and patted his trousers.

"Are you on a date?" He asked suddenly. Andy realized he didn't want her to go back and sit with that man.

"Yes," Sharon sighed. "A friend of mine decided it was time for me to put myself back out there."

Andy nodded, "I know what you mean. I have a few friends who did the same for me." She smiled in understanding. Electricity hummed between the two and he racked his mind for something else to say. Something to make her stay. But it wasn't fast enough.

"Everything alright?" Sharon's date asked. She nodded towards the man, but her attention stayed focused on Andy. "Would you like a drink before we go?" Yes, her mind screamed, but not with you. Sharon's lips pursued as she gently shook her head no. "I'll walk you to your car," her date insisted. Andy watched as her eyes grew slightly, but she made no objection as the man led her away.

Andy watched as she brushed her hair over her shoulder, exposing all of her back as her eyes stayed locked with his to the front door. Once Sharon had stepped out, he snapped his eyes back to his glass.

"What the hell is happening?" He muttered. Andy motioned to the bartender for another glass.


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