A/N: This is the tenth chapter! Special thanks to my amazing beta CMemlovr for beta reading! I hope you like it!
The tension in the room was palpable. As the minutes ticked by, Rusty remained silent, causing Andy to break the quiet.
"Should I leave?" he offered.
"No, stay, Andy – mom might need you," replied Rusty hesitantly.
Andy nodded slightly, noting that Sharon's apprehension seemed to have grown stronger.
"Is what you're about to tell me that bad?" asked Sharon concernedly, fidgeting with some papers on her desk.
"Not really…" Rusty wasn't sure where to begin.
Sharon inhaled deeply, uncertain of where the conversation was headed.
"Sharon?" Andy took her hand.
"I'm fine," she assured him, her attention fully on Rusty.
"Go ahead, Rusty," prodded Andy, eager to stop Sharon's worrying.
"I'm sorry, I just don't know where to start," confessed Rusty, sighing.
"Please, Rusty, what is it?" asked Sharon.
"Before I say anything, I need you to promise me that you'll be calm," hedged Rusty. Sharon looked as though she might protest, but was quelled by Rusty's subsequent pleading, "please, mom. You need to be calm for me."
"I promise," she replied.
"Okay- uh, well, I spoke to my mother today."
"You spoke to Sharon? Why, Rusty?"
"Calm down, mom. I wanted to talk to her – to tell her not to bother you with calls or messages anymore."
"You didn't have to do that, Rusty. In fact, you shouldn't have had to – the calls and texts were my problem, and one that didn't last especially long." Sharon's hands found her face as she tried to calm herself.
"It was just a conversation, Sharon. Relax," interjected Andy, attempting to reassure her.
"He shouldn't have even done that!" replied Sharon tersely.
"You promised you'd be calm," murmured Rusty in reminder, directing his comment towards Sharon.
"I am calm, just – What else did you talk about?"
"Nothing much. She seemed better, and said that she wouldn't bother you again. I warned her against it, largely because you're pregnant, and she agreed that you shouldn't be worried in your condition and promised not to continue," replied Rusty optimistically.
"I'm just worried about you, we both know what Sharon can be like," she replied, squeezing Rusty's shoulder.
"I know, but I promise that I'm not going to speak to her again without discussing it with you first."
Hugging Rusty tightly, Sharon smiled reassuringly. "Well, now that the drama's over – how about lunch?" she asked.
"Not a bad idea," commented Andy.
"I'm sorry, mom, I've got plans with friends," replied Rusty apologetically.
"You go have fun, then. We'll do lunch some other time," smiled Andy.
"Stay safe, Rusty!" interjected Sharon as Rusty left the office. Leaning against her desk, Sharon sighed imperceptibly.
"What do you say we go for lunch?" asked Andy, moving closer to Sharon.
"I'm not really in the mood, Andy. I'm sorry," she replied quietly.
"You're still worried about Rusty," stated Andy, understanding touching his tone.
"I am. You and I both know what Sharon is capable of, even if she promised Rusty that she'd stop. I'm worried about him."
"Everything's fine for now, Sharon," he reassured her.
"But it's not, because now Rusty has spoken to Sharon and possibly given her motivation to take further action. She's too unpredictable!"
"I understand, Sharon. But right now you have to be optimistic and try not to worry. You can't keep stressing yourself out like this," replied Andy sternly. Sharon nodded, knowing that she needed to keep calm, but she couldn't control her emotions as well as she usually could. "I also understand if you don't feel like going to a restaurant today, but you do need to eat, so where would you like to do that?"
"Fine, let's go. I need the air. But, I want you to understand that I have noticed your increasing tendency to argue with me, and I don't appreciate it." Her tone was disgruntled, if not outright combative, and Andy sighed in response.
********...********
Sharon sat in her office that afternoon, hardly able to concentrate on the work before her. Frustrated, she threw her pen onto the desk.
"Mind if I intrude?" asked Andrea with a smile.
"Hardly an intrusion," smirked Sharon, "please, come in."
Sitting beside Sharon, Andrea asked, "How are you feeling?"
"Physically, fine. Rusty, on the other hand…"
"What's wrong with him?"
"He spoke to Sharon this morning."
"Why?"
"He wanted to tell her to stop bothering me. Though, to be honest, it bothers me more that he's actually spoken to her."
"He just wants to protect you, Sharon," reassured Andrea, "he really loves you."
"I know, Andrea. But that doesn't stop me from worrying about him – especially where his mother is concerned."
"Don't think about it unless you have to, Sharon. Right now, the issue has been resolved – don't allow yourself to become so stressed."
"You sound like Andy," Sharon remarked coolly, "but I don't think you understand the gravity of the situation."
"I understand perfectly, but you have to understand that this much undue stress will have an effect on the baby. You're entering your second trimester, now."
Nodding, Sharon replied, "I'll try."
"You're not going to try; you're going to do it. Promise me?"
Smiling, Sharon nodded, "I promise."
"Good," replied Andrea, smiling encouragingly.
******** ... ********
Thankfully, Sharon's evening had been far more relaxed; Nicole had joined Andy and herself for dinner.
"So, you're three months pregnant, right Sharon?" asked Nicole.
"Yes."
"I can't tell you how excited I am to be a sister after so many years. It just feels so different," she smiled.
Sharon grinned in response, "You feel different? Imagine being a middle-aged woman who is pregnant for the first time in over twenty years."
"It's a good feeling, though, isn't it?"
"It is," Sharon admitted, "though I was nervous at first, I'm excited, too."
"Where's Dad?"
"He's in the other room – he should be coming back soon," replied Sharon, seeing Andy approaching them as she spoke. "You're late," she commented as he joined them in the living room.
"Sorry," he murmured, "What are we talking about?"
"The baby," smiled Nicole, "I was just about to ask if you've chosen a name yet."
"Sharon's decided to wait a while before choosing," replied Andy, a slight tinge of frustration entering his tone.
"I'd prefer not to rush, given that we've decided not to know the sex until birth."
"Now you're just leaving us in suspense, Sharon! I can't wait to find out if I'm going to have a baby brother or sister."
Laughing, Sharon replied, "I understand, but we decided that we'd rather be surprised."
"I guess," she muttered, "Speaking of siblings, I haven't seen Rusty around. Where is he?"
"He's with friends," Sharon said.
A sharp ringing interrupted their conversation, and Nicole checked her phone apologetically. Once she'd finished her conversation, she returned to her father and Sharon.
"I'm so sorry, but I've got to go," she mumbled apologetically.
"Don't worry about it, Nicole. Work calls – you have to go, we understand," replied Sharon.
"Sharon's right," added Andy, "but I'd also like to ask that you visit more often," he finished, smiling.
"I will," replied Nicole, gathering her belongings, "And Sharon, stay safe and away from stress!" Waving over her shoulder, Nicole left Sharon and Andy alone.
Sharon could appreciate Nicole's company – especially when she expressed the traits she shared with her father.
"Sharon?"
"Oh, Andy, you startled me!" groused Sharon as she turned to face him.
"I'm sorry, darling. Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, Andy – just a little start won't do me any harm. Remember what we talked about? You don't have to constantly check up on me."
"Right, I'll keep that in mind."
Sharon nodded appreciatively before turning back to the kitchen.
An hour later, Rusty came home.
"Rusty!" greeted Sharon, approaching him.
"Sorry I'm late, mom. '"
"It's fine, Rusty. How'd everything go?
"Everything was fine," he smiled tiredly, "But I think I'm going to call it a night."
"Alright. Good night, Rusty."
"Good night."
Rusty kissed his mother on the cheek and went to his room.
A short while later Andy entered the living room bearing a piece of cake, which he handed to Sharon.
"What's this?" she asked, looking at it in confusion.
"It's cake – I made it for you."
"I can see that. It's just a bit late for cake…" she replied, still tempted by the cake, despite disliking eating so late in the evening. "But it looks so good," she murmured, taking a piece. Andy smiled softly at her reaction.
********...********
Sat in the bedroom together, Sharon rubbed her stomach gingerly.
"I shouldn't have eaten the cake," she moaned.
"Why?"
"I don't generally eat much in the evening, Andy. I think I overdid it tonight."
Andy smiled and kissed her forehead, "Maybe you didn't feel like it, but the baby might've," he grinned, tickling her belly softly.
"Please stop," she laughed, half groaning.
"I just wanted to see you smile again," commented Andy quietly.
Sharon's eyes widened and she gazed at him lovingly before replying softly, "I think I'm just tired. Let's go to bed."
******** ... ********
It was the middle of the night when Sharon's phone broke the still silence with a shrill ring. Opening her eyes blearily, Sharon picked up her phone and answered quietly, not wanting to wake Andy.
"Hello?" she whispered sleepily.
"Captain, sorry for the intrusion."
Clearing her throat, Sharon asked, "Did we catch a murder?"
"Unfortunately, yes. Do you want to be kept informed of the scene?"
Hearing Sharon speaking, Andy woke and snatched the phone from her hand.
"Hey, Provenza, why the hell are you calling at this hour?!"
"We've got a case, Flynn, and the Captain is still my superior – and yours!"
"Yeah, but why are you calling her? She's pregnant and needs rest!" retorted Andy angrily.
"Because she is still the head of our department and has to be apprised of all of our cases," spat Provenza.
Fuelled by ire, Sharon succeeded in lifting her phone from Andy's hand.
"Please keep me informed about the case, Lieutenant. I expect updates as you progress."
"Yes ma'am. I'll email you any updates on our progress."
Thanking him, Sharon hangs up and puts her phone down.
Looking at Andy furiously, she spat, "What was that?!"
"Why are you doing this, Sharon? Why are you letting them disrupt the sleep you need?"
"Because I am still the head of Major Crimes and it's my job, Andy!"
"I know, but-"
"Enough. We'll talk about this tomorrow, right now I'm too tired to deal with you," she replied stonily, turning her back on Andy to sleep.
******** ... ********
Later that morning, Sharon and Andy went over the crime scene with Provenza.
"You had to call your pregnant superior for this in the middle of the night?" hissed Andy to Provenza.
"Shut it, Flynn. I called Sharon because I knew she'd be pissed if I didn't. Pretty sure you'd rather she wasn't pissed off, right?"
Andy rolled his eyes, returning his attention to the scene, "Whose dog is this?" he asked, picking the dog up.
"Belongs to the victim," replied Provenza.
"Seems like a friendly little guy," commented Andy, spying Sharon's return.
"The smell is awful, again. What are you two doing out here?" asked Sharon.
"Well, Flynn wanted to play with the dog instead of working," muttered Provenza darkly.
Sharon chuckled before regarding Andy with some amusement.
"What's so funny?" he asked self-consciously.
"I'm just thinking that if you're this good with a dog, you must be pretty good with babies," she smiled.
"I guess, though a baby's pretty different." Andy smiled in return.
"In what sense?"
"Unlike this dog, the baby will be partly mine, and it will be our child."
Sharon smiled, touched. She knew that he'd be a really good father, and had learned from his past mistakes. They regarded each other closely – happily – and made their way back to work together, unaware of the unexpected unpleasantness awaiting them.
~~~ TBC ~~~