Sharon emerged from Interview One feeling slightly better. Andy had worked his magic with both his hands and his support, and she was so grateful. She couldn't go through another night like the past two, and she needed to deal with it.

"Shar!" Jackson exclaimed when he saw her, and walked up close enough to pretend he was talking to her privately, but in reality everyone could hear. "When I woke up this morning you were gone, is everything alright?"

"No Jackson, it's not alright. We need to talk."

"Okay, how about we do it over lunch. Can you get away?"

"Yes. Lunch sounds good. Let me get my purse," she said, and headed towards her office.

Jackson looked concerned, but as he looked around the room and spotted others watching him, he just smiled as though he was in charge of the universe.

"Ready?" he asked her when she came out.

Sharon nodded and the two of them left the murder room, Jackson with his hand on the small of her back.

"Who does he think he's kidding," Provenza said with derision when he figured they were out of earshot.

"Himself, obviously. I can't wait 'til that guy is gone," Andy replied.

"Does that look like it will be soon?"

"Nah... he's boring into her life as hard and as fast as he can."

Provenza nodded, "We'll have to keep an eye on her. I'll manage her if it comes to that. She won't like it, but she needs us for back-up in more ways than one."

"I hear that," Flynn said, moving away from him to resume his responsibilities.

xxxxx

Jackson picked the restaurant. Once upon a time he knew Sharon well enough to know exactly what she was in the mood for based on her responses. Those times were long gone, but he still attempted the insight. Once seated, Sharon asked for coffee and a glass of water.

"How many cups of that have you had?" Jackson asked, concerned.

"Three, four... I've lost count."

"Shar, you can't do that."

"Jackson..."

"No Shar, you know what I'm talking about. Remember what happened the last time you had too much caffeine?"

"How would you know, you weren't here," she said, glancing at him to make sure he got her point.

"Fine, then the time before that."

"Nope," she shook her head again.

"Okay, alright, I haven't been around. Fine, I get it. But Shar, I'm being serious. You had a terrible reaction. You were throwing up and sick for a week."

"Jackson, I was also pregnant and we didn't know it. Don't you think that might have had something to do with it?"

"You weren't sick like that with the other two."

Sharon looked sad at the memory, "No... no I wasn't. But then again, they lived, didn't they. When I was sick, those babies were dying and we barely knew they were there before they were gone."

"I know..." Jackson shared the sad feeling, "I don't think I've ever been as devastated, watching you hugging yourself, crying uncontrollably. You should have had them in your arms, Shar. It shouldn't have happened like that."

She reached out and squeezed Jackson's hand, "It was never your fault Jackson. It wasn't mine either."

"It was my fault, let's not pretend that part."

"Jackson, it was a genetic defect and no one in your family knew it existed."

"Harrumph," Jackson laughed humourlessly, "genetic defect... that's a broad, all encompassing term isn't it."

"Don't go there. Please... don't go there. I can't handle it again."

"Shar, I wouldn't do that to you. I gave up the bottle a long time ago, and I'm not going back. Besides, half the time I was doing it to forget how much I hurt you, and then it hurt you more... Awe damn, it was a vicious cycle and now that I'm out, I'm not going back."

"Good. And thank you for being concerned about the caffeine. I usually try to watch it, but these last few days have been really hard."

Jackson nodded and waited for what was coming next. When Sharon wanted to 'talk', he knew she would be doing the talking and his role was to listen.

"Why were you in my bed last night?" she asked gently. She wanted the real answer.

"Awe, I don't know Shar... it was there and you weren't. I'm trying to put a good face on it, but it hit me like a tonne of bricks to see you cuddled with another man in our bed. And then to find out you work with him every day, too? That's too much, Shar. I wasn't even sure you were coming home last night."

"Rusty was there. I had to come home."

"So you never stay the night at Flynn's?" Jackson wasn't sure if he wanted the answer, but they were being honest with each other, and he didn't want to stop now.

"Sometimes. Yes, sometimes I do. Rusty is usually somewhere else with one of the squad or with his chess team or on a school trip. I don't do it often. Usually Andy comes home with me."

"That's more detail than I need," he lowered his head and reached for his water.

"I'm only being honest, Jackson. You aren't the man in my life anymore, and you haven't been for some time."

"Yeah... I saw that the other night," his voice heavy with regret and disgust.

"I must say this concern over who I share my bed with is rather rich considering what you've done over the years. I was still trying to make it work when I found you in a similar position."

"Not one of my better moves, I'll grant you that."

"Better moves? Jackson you were cheating on me, running up my credit cards, and drinking excessively. It was an awful time. I loved you so much, and I despised you for what you were doing to our family. Do you realize it took me years to finally say goodbye to our marriage?"

"Why did you?" Jackson looked up at her. His eyes were a misty blue, ready to shed tears at any moment.

"How could I not? You were gone. The kids were practically grown and didn't want anything to do with you. Work was difficult and took all my energy. Something had to give, and that was my wishful thinking."

"I couldn't be the man you needed, Shar. The man you deserved."

"That's not true. You were exactly what I needed for a lot of years. You were brilliant, successful, funny, attentive... you threw it all away because booze and cards meant more to you than your family. I know that was the addiction, but I couldn't let you pull all of us down with you."

Jackson rubbed his face in frustration, "None of that matters now. Why are we rehashing the past anyway. I can't change anything from back then, but I'd like to change things now. I'm a different man, Shar. And if you let me, I'll become good enough for you. I can do that, I know I can."

Sharon smiled sadly at him, and reached over to squeeze his hand. "It's too late. It's time to let go, Jackson."

Realizing she had to leave him there, Sharon got up from the table and grabbed her purse. She could feel Jackson's eyes on her as she left the restaurant.

xxxxx

"That was quick," Flynn said when he looked up, surprised to see Sharon having returned.

"I... can we go somewhere?" Sharon replied, looking upset.

Flynn was concerned. He'd never seen Sharon like this. "Did you eat anything?"

"No, I wasn't really hungry."

"Sharon, have you eaten today at all?" Flynn asked, moving closer and reaching for her elbow. He didn't like her colour.

"No..." she whispered, just as she collapsed on the floor.