Facing Danger

Disclaimer: I own nothing related to Major Crimes. James Duff, et al, has that lovely distinction.

Summary: Ep tag 5.10; "I'll be all right," she whispered in his ear.

A/N1: Enjoy! Leave a review if you feel so inclined. They are ever so appreciated. #TodayIsLife

~~~~~PT~~~~~

Andy and Sharon had long gotten to the point in their relationship where either one could suggest he stay over at her condo. Knowing the threat Dwight Darnell presented to the Major Crimes team now that they were investigating the Zyclon Brotherhood for the murder of Mark's mother Ava, Andy needed to spend time with Sharon outside of work. Having been told by her, while still in the office, about the implied threat to Taylor, the boast that Henry would never testify against him, and the Aryan salute to her after saying he understood they would both fight for their cause, Andy needed their time together to be of only a personal nature. Knowing Sharon as he did by then, he was sure they'd talk about work before they could put it aside for the night.

Fortunately for him, most of the discussion took place over dinner. Sharon seemed concerned but not overly cautious. She was used to taking things as they happened. While she did look at all angles and planned accordingly, she was comfortable waiting to see how things played out before becoming too anxious. Andy, on the other hand, tended to look at hypotheticals and usually negative ones at that. It wasn't good for his health; his blood pressure tended to spike when he became overly worried about the safety of his loved ones and he could feel the flush on his chest as they spoke.

After the explosion, they had briefly made eye contact and gone back to work. It was enough to reassure her he was all right and vice versa. While she may have been out of harm's way in the van, he knew she saw everything that happened and would be worried about any member of her team getting injured. Her heart would worry more about him. It wasn't until they'd gone back to PAB and everyone was working on their piece of the ZB puzzle that she'd signaled for him to come into her office. After a brief discussion, he was up to speed on where she was emotionally beneath her Captain's mask and he'd suggested staying at her place because they needed to reconnect and discuss Darnell further. She also wanted to bounce ideas back and forth regarding the missing weapons, who might be the leader of ZB and update him on Mark being notified by Dr Joe his mother was dead. Such a harsh reality for an eight year old who already spewed hatred via learned behavior, who already knew he needed to act tougher than he really was, and who already experienced what being homeless meant.

When they'd finally gotten to discussing Mark, Andy made sure to speak up for Julio, praising his fast connection to the boy despite the racist comments he had to endure. While Sharon agreed that Julio was coming from a place of love, she didn't always like how he went about it. There was a possibility of him being too emotionally involved to protect Mark as he should without endangering himself. While Sharon understood the love of a parent and the fierce need to protect one's children, she also knew the parent had to react appropriately and make wise choices. She feared Julio might not, based on his desire to protect Mark at all cost. Andy pointed out the boy was a target because he knew too much about the members of ZB but Sharon held to her belief that Julio needed to be observed and that he alone would not be responsible for the boy's safety. The team would keep Mark safe.

She had deliberately held off discussing Dwight Darnell any further until they were already sitting on the couch with their coffees. Throughout their conversation, Andy had been easily agitated and she could tell it was because of the danger ZB, and Darnell specifically, brought into all of their lives. Aware of that when she took over the case, she hadn't thought at the time how it would affect them personally. She was simply looking for justice for a woman murdered for trying to help put ZB members behind bars.

Getting to the heart of the matter quickly, Sharon set her mug on the coffee table and reached out for Andy's hand as he did the same. Reminding him she had to be in Court with Taylor for the trial, she saw the flush creep further up his neck and cover his cheeks. Trying to reassure him they would all be safe in the halls of justice didn't work as easily as she had hoped it would. He knew all too well that weapons slipped passed guards and people were murdered in courtrooms nationwide. Gangs like ZB, and he emphasized they were a gang, put hits out on Judges, prosecutors and law enforcement all the time. As Lieutenant Flynn, he understood Captain Raydor needed to be there but as Andy he didn't want Sharon in danger. Realizing there was nothing she could say to change that, or even lessen it to any degree, she merely pulled him close to her.

"I'll be all right," she whispered in his ear.

He began to say something but changed his mind before a word escaped. Instead, he kissed her softly and slowly, keeping his hands still, holding her close. Rusty would be home, they already knew, so both were aware of the need to move into her bedroom. But there was time for that and neither were ready or willing to let go of the other just yet. Deepening the kiss, she squirmed a little and his hands began to move over her slowly.

"I love you," she managed between kisses and he immediately repeated the sentiment. When she moved back enough to look at him, she saw the concern set deep in his eyes and her heart hurt for him. "I'll be fine," tumbled out of her mouth despite knowing how useless the words really were. It was an assurance, one she was used to saying, but when it came to people like the members of ZB, it could also be seen as an empty promise.

Her boyfriend saw right through the words so he chose instead to pay attention to their purpose. With that in mind, he replied, "I know you will be. You can take care of yourself very well. Plus, Taylor will be there and he doesn't want to lose one of his favorite Captains." It was what they did as cops. It was what they could do as civilians. It was what they said when the truth wouldn't help.

Standing up, she tugged his hand and they made their way slowly to her bedroom. Once inside, they sat on her bed caressing one another, not a word spoken. In times like these, words weren't necessary. The members of ZB could do unspeakable harm to any or all of them. Words wouldn't change anything, not that night or on any other.

Amidst the touches, they shared tender kisses which eventually became more heated as they thought of the possibilities they dared not say aloud. They were so close to sharing their lives in a more cohesive way, living together, and no gang member was going to change that. Both had been a cop long enough to know that wishing it didn't always make it so.

Slowly they undressed one another, still not a word uttered by either. Throughout the entire evening, Andy had showed his concern openly to Sharon. She, on the other hand, had tempered hers for his sake. It was only as they began to make love, when she redirected him from bringing her to climax with his hand first that he realized just how deeply concerned she was. It comforted him to know, and feel, she was sharing that with him after all. Kissing her more passionately than he had that night, he rolled over her and entered her, moving slowly the entire time. They both knew why; no explanations were needed when one had over thirty years on the job.

Soft moans and whispered names filled the air of her bedroom. They were sharing love, hope and concern that night. As hard as she tried, Sharon realized it wasn't always possible to completely balance both her worlds when it came to Andy. She just had to balance what she could and do it well.

When she had to stifle the moan that escaped her throat as she climaxed, he let himself ride the waves with her. As they kissed afterwards, she felt him smile against her lips before pulling away to look at her. He didn't move off her; neither ready to let go just yet.

"I know you're gonna be safe in Court, but if that Darnell ever did anything to you," he began but she interrupted.

"Shh, Andy, I'll be fine." She kissed him gently. "I'm not going anywhere." Kissing him again, she assured him, "We're not going anywhere." She held him tightly to her, both with her arms and her legs. Completely enveloped by her, he kissed her neck and breathed in her scent. After a moment, he moved off her, holding onto her so she rolled with him; legs entangled, her head lay on his chest, just above his heart. The steady beat calmed her.

They were career law enforcement. They knew what cops dealt with every day. Whether it was out on the streets, within the confines of their police stations or in the halls of the justice system, there were hazards with which they had to face.

Though hoping for the best was the option law enforcement members chose, realistically they knew that any minute of any day might signal their end of watch. The hope was always to make it through their shift and go home to their loved ones.

To reassure the man with whom she planned to spend the remainder of her life, Sharon would act as if that hope was their reality. That was life when you were always facing danger.

[The End]

A/N2: Thanks for reading!