Wendy's crying echoed throughout the Major Crimes offices and disturbed everyone. The baby has been crying for over an hour now and Sharon looked quite upset as she was unable to sooth the baby or understand the reason for the crying. She was trying with all her might to raise her voice over Wendy's crying so her squad could hear her, but to no avail. The squad looked equally upset to see her in this situation, or to be a part of it.

"Captain, maybe the baby needs some fresh air." Provenza said. Wendy was three months old and he still didn't refer to her by her name.

"Some babies like it when you drive them around," Tao suggested. "My son used to love that as a baby. That was practically the only way to make him fall asleep." Sharon looked around the room and sighed.

"Keep brainstorming and let me know if you come up with something." She said and walked out of Major Crimes with Wendy in her arms. She knew that maintaining tranquility was the most important thing when trying to calm a crying baby, but she was beginning to worry. Wendy has never cried incessantly for such a long time for no reason. She placed Wendy in the infant seat and the sudden lack of contact with Sharon's body seemed to startle the already distressed baby and made her cry even louder. Sharon took her place behind the wheel and pulled out of the parking lot. She wasn't planning on leaving the parking lot, but driving around in circles until Wendy finally stops crying.

After half an hour, she gave up. Wendy's crying became hysterical and Sharon was worried that she'll start choking, as babies so often did when they cried for a long time. Driving around was obviously unhelpful in this case and she pulled back into her parking spot and took the baby out of the car.

Andy looked at Sharon with worry in his eyes. She was clearly dismayed by Wendy's ceaseless crying. The baby has been crying for hours now and nothing Sharon or Rusty tried helped. He wasn't sure what to do and his ears were ringing with the sound of crying.

Rusty was sitting by his side on the couch and buried his face in his palms. Andy could tell he was suffering and he patted the boy's shoulder as if to identify.

"I'm going to try giving her a bath. Maybe it will help, somehow." Sharon said and walked to the bathroom. Her ears were practically aching by now. "You are going to have a very relaxing bath, honey." She spoke to the baby, trying to sound enthusiastic and hopeful. She filled the baby bathtub with lukewarm water and undressed Wendy. It was the first time during the day she noticed that Wendy's skin was warmer than usual. Opening the medicine cabinet, she took the thermometer and gently put it in Wendy's ear. Her eyes widened as she saw the temperature; Wendy was burning up. She took the baby in her arms and quickly walked down the hall to the living room. "I'm taking her to the ER. She's got a fever of 103."

She handed Wendy to Andy and went to put on her shoes.

"I'm coming with you," Rusty bolted up from the couch.

"No, stay here with Andy. Do your homework and then you can watch TV. They'll probably just run some tests and give her some medicine. You don't need to worry, okay?" Rusty nodded. "Andy, can you stay with him until I come back?" She took Wendy from his arms.

"I don't need a sitter." Rusty called out.

"I thought you could use the company." Sharon retorted.

"I'll stay with him. Don't worry." Andy smiled at her. She thanked him as she picked Wendy's bag and her own purse and went out of the apartment.

Rusty was sleeping on the couch in front of the television and Andy glanced at his watch for the third time in fifteen minutes. It was almost midnight and Sharon was not back yet. He got up and brought a blanket from Sharon's room to cover Rusty. Then he turned the TV off. It has been nearly a month since their first kiss and he was a usual guest at Sharon's house. Things progressed slowly; too slowly as far as he was concerned, but he respected Sharon's will to be sure of this relationship before they slept together. From his past experience in serious relationships, he knew that it was important to lay strong foundations to a relationship in order for it to be healthy and thriving. Obviously, Sharon needed her time to trust him and assure herself and that was okay with him. He had a feeling that she was hurt by love in the past and was a little hesitant about opening her heart to love again.

His phone rang and Sharon's number appeared on the screen. He picked it up and walked to Rusty's room, so he could talk without waking the kid up.

"How is it going?" He asked.

"They're admitting her. They say that she has a severe ear infection. They're going to give her antibiotics through an IV." Her voice sounded desperate.

"Do you want me to come over there and be with you?" he offered.

"Please. But leave a note to Rusty. Is he sleeping?"

"Yes. Do you want me to bring you anything?" Andy asked.

"No, I'm good. Thanks."

Sharon was sitting by a bassinette, watching the way Wendy's chest went up and down with every breath she took. She was asleep at last and had an IV connected to her little arm. She felt arms being wrapped around her and pulling her closer.

"Andy," her voice was weak. He brushed his lips against hers and let her lean into him. She looked upset and exhausted; not a combination he liked. "How could I be so stupid? I should have checked her temperature after the first hour of crying."

"You didn't know. It happens." Andy said and tightened his arm around her.

"She could have lost her hearing." Only then did Andy realize what all of this was about. Seeing Wendy this way made Sharon think about her son.

"I'm sure it wasn't your fault," he said.

"I should have been more attentive," she said. "All I needed to do is touch her face. I would have known immediately and taken her to the doctor."

"Self blame will get you nowhere."

"You know, I've been told several times that I shouldn't care so much. I'm not supposed to become attached to Rusty and Wendy." Sharon's voice was broken. "But I can't help it. Love beats reason."

"You are doing well with them. The reason Rusty is thriving is that you care about him. And Wendy will grow up and become a great kid thanks to your devotion and love." Andy said, lacing his fingers with hers. "Now, you need to get some sleep. I'll watch Wendy for you, okay?"

"Thank you, Andy. I love you." Sharon said as she rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes.

"I love you too, Sharon." It was the first time they said it to each other, but it felt natural and Andy knew that it was true, for the both of them.