At the End of the Day

by Still Lost in Translation

Filling in the gaps after the credits roll. Picking up where 4.17 #FindKaylaWeber left off, after a horrible couple of days Sharon was in need of a little TLC (Update: Chapter 43: The morning after Ch 42 - Sharon battles to get ready for work while dealing with a rejuvenated Andy after his all clear from the Doctor. Takes place six weeks after the end of White Lies Part Three 5x13)

10. Chapter 10

Once again thank you so much for all the kind reviews, follows and favourites for Chapter Nine. Each one is appreciated more than you will ever know.

The idea behind this story was always to fill in the gaps between episodes and since my timeline has caught up with 4x18 Penalty Phase I now move onto the end of that episode. To make this work you simply need to imagine that 4x18 happened after Chapter Nine finished. If I'm honest I wrote this chapter in my head as soon as I'd seen the episode in December, it's just taken this long to commit it to paper.

A quick note about Chapter Eleven which is the impending double date: This chapter has quickly turned into my favourite thing I've ever written (and I've written a lot during the course of my university career) and it's not finished yet. It's possibly going to be around 30,000 words long which is massive even for me. So when it's finished do I post it as one chapter or cut it in half and post the first part on the Friday and the rest on the Sunday? Let me know on Twitter or via PM if you have an opinion.

If you'd be so kind as to leave me a review I'd appreciated it or alternatively if you want a general chit chat you can find me on Twitter at DHPLover.

As usual I don't own any of these characters etc etc.

Enjoy….

At the End of the Day - Chapter Ten

As the Christmas party gathered pace Andy watched from the edge of the group of revellers as Sharon dropped the mystery paperwork she was holding into the trash. As she stood up and smiled at Provenza and Mike before grabbing her eggnog Andy couldn't help but stare at her with awe. The beautiful smile she wore as she made her way back to Rusty and Gus being the polar opposite to the concerned frown on Provenza's face as he glanced at Mike and retrieved the paper before stuffing it in his desk drawer. Andy had no idea what had just transpired between them but figured one of them would tell him if he asked. Meanwhile Andy's eyes remained fixed on Sharon as she chatted away to Rusty and Gus. She glowed as she laughed with them. She always seemed to glow when she was happy, even more so when Rusty was happy and she watched him smile and relax along with her. As Sharon grinned at something Gus said that made Rusty blush awkwardly she turned her head to see Andy staring back at her with that beautiful smile of his. She couldn't help but smile back as their eyes locked on each other before Andy gestured for her to join him. Sharon made her excuses and joined Andy as he sat on Mike's desk away from everyone else.

"What was that all about?" Andy asked quietly as he nodded his head towards Provenza's now vacant desk.

"Later" Sharon replied, placing her hand on Andy's arm to get him to drop the subject since she was very conscious of the fact that Rusty could sneak up behind her and overhear. She didn't want to keep secrets from Rusty, or from Andy for that matter, but she wasn't sure what she was going to say to him about his mother's release at that particular moment in time.

Andy smiled as he titled his head like a dog that had just heard its owner say 'sausages.' "Is that a promise?" he asked with a smirk and suggesting a completely different meaning to her statement.

She smiled. "Definitely." Sharon's eyes twinkled. She quickly looked around to make sure there was no one else in earshot. Despite the fact they were at the Christmas party she still felt there were certain boundaries that should remain in place between her and Andy when they were not in the privacy of her office (even then she had certain rules and restrictions she wanted to keep to ensure that her office remained a purely professional working space as much as possible) with Sharon keen to keep some conversations out of the murder room entirely unless they were completely alone. Smiling at Andy coyly she asked "Are you staying over tonight?"

Andy couldn't hide his filthy smile. It was a smile that made Sharon's pulse quicken and hoped hadn't made her blush despite the warmth she currently felt radiating in her cheeks. They hadn't seen each other outside of PAB since Sunday so Andy had been desperately hoping ever since the moment Mike slapped the handcuffs on Brad Powell after dragging him out of the swimming pool that he would receive that particular invitation. "If you want me..."

Sharon immediately cut him off. "Oh I definitely want you but are you staying tonight?" she said with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer. Sharon was done with being subtle and pussyfooting around when it came to Andy. They had waited and waited throughout all incarnations of their relationship and nearly lost each other through illness in the process. Now was the time to do what she wanted exactly when she wanted.

Before Andy could answer, as if he needed to confirm his intentions with the size of his smile being a dead giveaway, Rusty quickly made his way over and anxiously stood between them. "I don't want to be a pain but Andy is there any way you could call Nicole now and ask her about Gus joining us over Christmas? I'd like to ask him tonight if that's okay" he asked nervously. As he spoke Rusty was very deliberate in his use of 'Andy' rather than 'Lieutenant.' In truth Rusty didn't think about how he was going to address Andy ahead of time with his speech flowing naturally nine times out of ten like how he made the switch from 'Sharon' to 'Mom.' But since Andy had started staying the night and their relationship had become more serious Rusty decided he needed to change too and be more aware of how he spoke to Andy to at least appear like he was making an effort should it not be immediately obvious. Rusty had opted that for now at least he would use 'Andy' when at home but would stick to 'Lieutenant' at PAB unless Sharon was in on the conversation.

"Sure thing kid. Anything you want" Andy said without taking his eyes off Sharon for a moment as they continued to smile at each other.

As Andy went to take his cell phone out from his pocket Sharon gestured across the room. "Use my office."

"I'll be right back" Andy said again without taking his eyes off Sharon. As he stood up he finally turned to see Rusty and registered the huge levels of anxiousness written all over his face, a surprise considering it was a simple dinner invitation. "Relax kid. It's a formality. Worry about Gus saying 'Yes'." Andy patted Rusty on the shoulder before disappearing into Sharon's office with his 'virgin' cup of eggnog.

It may have been their intention but those words did nothing to sooth Rusty, if anything they made him worry more as he stared after Andy slightly panic stricken before glancing at Sharon. Sensing his concerns Sharon smiled and took his hand. "Rusty don't look so anxious. It'll be fine."

Rusty smiled weakly before he made his way back to Gus while never taking his eyes off Andy in Sharon's office for a moment as he watched him take his cell phone from his pocket. Rusty didn't know why he was so worried. He'd met Nicole on a number of occasions and knew her to be a warm and loving person who wouldn't hesitate to open her home to someone like Gus because it was important to him. He also knew Gus would leap at the chance to spend the holidays with them so that wasn't a problem either. And yet he was still worried. He wanted to get everything agreed so he could ask Gus and completely relax with an unprecedented fourth Christmas in a row to look forward to if only Andy would hurry up and make the call. As Rusty watched him Andy seemed to be going at a pace like someone had removed his batteries. Rusty sighed with frustration.

"What's wrong?" Gus asked him as Rusty continued to stare at Andy through the glass.

"Nothing" Rusty lied as he briefly glanced and smiled at Gus before looking back to Andy who continued to move at a snail's pace.

From the other side of the room Sharon couldn't avoid laughing at Rusty's demeanour as she re-joined the rest of the gathered group. The murder room currently had a lovely atmosphere to it. It was a relief to have their current case wrapped up before the holidays but more importantly without any more loss of life since Powell was clearly highly unstable. It had been a stressful 48 hours so the party could not have come at a better time and with the addition of Andrea and Fritz thrown into the mix a relaxed vibe was quick to spread throughout the place. As Sharon joined the group her attention was immediately drawn away from Rusty's nervous twitching as Taylor moved to stand next to her and tapped her on the arm to get her attention. "Captain and what are your plans for the holidays?" he asked while sipping his eggnog.

"We're going to Andy's daughter's house for Christmas this year."

Taylor had never looked more surprised which was caused from a mixture of Sharon's plans for the holidays and just how much bourbon Julio had mixed into the 'spiked' version of the eggnog. "Really?" he asked coughing slightly as the alcohol stung the back of his throat.

Sharon frowned, confused at his reaction. "Yes. Why the…."

Before Sharon could finish Rusty was by her side again. "Mom can you go and check on what Andy's saying to Nicole" he said pointing towards her office.

Sharon laughed. "What do you think he'll..." Rusty's expression told Sharon all she needed to know. "Fine!" she said as she headed off to her office, happy to appease Rusty when he was in one of his 'anxious' moods. "He can be trusted to do things like this you know."

"Not from my experience" Rusty called after her. Seeing the somewhat confused and amused expressions from Taylor and Mike staring back at him he added "Don't ever ask Lieutenant Flynn to take a phone message for you" before re-joining Gus. While Andy had been recovering from his operation he spent even more time with Rusty then he did before his surgery. Conversation was still a little limited between them so they spent most of the time either playing chess or discussing Rusty's Vlog and in particular Slider. All was well with Rusty feeling more relaxed since Andy was no longer at death's door and 'Flynn Watch' meant offering help if he needed it and keeping him company rather than round the clock supervision and the anxious feeling in the pit of his stomach that accompanied that particular responsibility. That was until one afternoon when Rusty went to the bathroom leaving his cell on the coffee table. When it rang Andy made the decision to answer it after he saw 'Bobby Monroe' flash up on the caller ID and told him Rusty was in the bathroom and he'd call him right back. Then Sharon came home early and Andy was immediately distracted as she instantly slunk down on the couch with him and settled in for the evening resulting in the message not being passed along for two whole days. Rusty went berserk when he found out and Andy had to swear on his life to never touch Rusty's phone again. From that moment on Rusty no longer trusted Andy to do even the simplest of tasks for him without Sharon there to supervise.

As Sharon walked into her office Andy had positioned himself leaning forward on her desk between the stars adorning it and propped up on his elbows. The dial tone from the phone on her desk echoed around the room from the speaker as he looked for Nicole's number on his cell. Upon seeing Sharon enter from the corner of his eye he immediately turned and smiled at her. "He wants me to check up on you" Sharon said closing the door behind her before sitting on the edge of her desk next to Andy with the smallest gap between them.

"He really is in a tizz about this isn't he?"

"Well you're the one that encouraged him to ask Gus out on a date in the first place" Sharon stated as she ran her hand up his arm and rested it on his shoulder.

"I had to say something to the kid, he'd just caught me in his kitchen in the dead of night in my underwear. He'd have looked less shocked if he'd found a severed head on the kitchen counter" Andy said as he dialled Nicole's number on Sharon's office phone.

Sharon smiled. She glanced at the party taking place beyond the glass to see who if anyone was watching. With the division otherwise occupied she leant in close to Andy's ear as he dialled before uttering "Don't put yourself down. I think you look mighty fine in just your underwear." She smiled as her warm breath on his ear made the hair on the back of his neck stand up.

Andy's face was a picture as Sharon moved away from his ear. She stifled a laugh as she leant up against his side and ran her hand from his shoulder to his back as he continued to lean forward on the desk. Andy's smile grew and grew as his thoughts became instantly too inappropriate for work. He desperately wanted to reach up and kiss her in that moment but he didn't know how she'd react since technically they were at work even if they were at a Christmas party and not currently working. Up until that point they had never kissed at work, they'd never even come close other than the recently quite frequent well out of sight contact in the parking garage before they drove to Sharon's condo separately. Well that wasn't strictly true, they had kissed once before but at the time they were definitely 'just friends' and nothing more.

After Andy had helped organise and rearrange Sharon's Christmas party for the break room last Christmas she was filled to the brim with gratitude towards him and an emotion she wasn't yet ready to admit to herself let alone out loud, love. They'd tried to have a private few minutes alone as the party got underway but Sharon quickly became distracted by what was going on with two of her suspiciously secretive and chatty children on the other side of the glass in the corridor. As the party got into full swing and with Provenza and Patrice in particular proving to be a massive distraction for everyone in attendance along with the festive colour of Buzz's face, Sharon subtly took hold of Andy's hand and led him outside and around the corner out of view.

Andy looked a little surprised as Sharon peered around him to make sure they hadn't been followed. "I just wanted to say thank you" she said with a beaming smile.

"It's my pleasure. Anything to bring a smile to your face" he replied with a signature grin.

His grin combined with his words caused Sharon to blush slightly as she briefly looked at her feet a little awkwardly. Sharon blamed Nicole. This was without a shadow of a doubt one hundred percent Nicole's fault. She would never have blushed at Andy this way before their little kitchen conversation about whether they were dating. Before that evening at The Nutcracker dating wasn't even an issue, they were just friends and that's all they were ever going to be but now it was all she could think about every time she looked at him. Every time she looked into those beautiful brown eyes. Every time he smiled at her. Every time their fingers brushed together when he handed her a piece of paper or a cup of tea. Sharon shook her head to herself and tried to calm down. "When did you have time to organise this?" she asked after finally being able to meet his eyes once more.

"A couple of hours ago. It was clear we were never getting out of here so I gave Rusty a call and suggested they bring the party to you. They've done a good job."

"You all have, thank you."

"You're welcome."

Sharon paused for a moment. "Dinner and a movie on Saturday to say thank you?" she asked a little nervously. She didn't know why she was nervous. She'd asked him out (and vice versa) to dinner and a movie several times a month if not more for almost a year now but one misunderstanding and one conversation had left her sadly feeling awkward about the whole situation and their friendship.

"Sure but aren't your kids still in town?" Andy asked sneaking a look behind him to where they were currently gathered at the party.

Sharon smiled. "They are but it'll give them, Ricky in particular, a chance to spend some much needed time with their father whether he deserves it or not."

Andy nodded enthusiastically. "Great, I mean if you're sure."

"I am." Silence fell between them for a moment as they just smiled at each other. Finally Sharon broke it the only way she could think. "Merry Christmas Andy."

"Merry Christmas Sharon." Andy was just about to turn back towards the party when he glanced up and caught sight of some very conveniently placed mistletoe overhead which he saw Ricky hanging up shortly before he went to bring Sharon to the party. He knew it was there but he would be lying if he said he'd stood under it deliberately. Nether-the-less since they had found themselves positioned under it he was going to take full advantage. "Mistletoe" he said gesturing towards it.

Sharon smiled. "Well it is traditional" she said with a shrug.

There was no denying that it was a little awkward as they slowly closed the gap between them. Although both had definitely started looking at each other differently since the discussion with Nicole two weeks earlier about whether they were dating or not, neither were willing to admit that to themselves much less to each other. At the back of their minds they were in love with each other but it was hidden away right at the back, trapped in a box, in the back of a closet so deep it was practically in Narnia as they worried about how much they had to lose should they attempt to move things forward romantically and fail. As they grinned at each other before leaning in to share a quick friendly Christmas kiss under the mistletoe, Andy moved to plant his lips to Sharon's cheek, something they had done a fair few times before on occasions such as Christmas or when the adoption was finalised or indeed after Nicole's wedding without giving it a second thought. He was somewhat surprised and shocked then when Sharon changed the angle and ensured that their lips came together and met in a sweet, chastely kiss. It didn't last long and they were quick to break apart when Provenza's booming voice could be heard coming towards them but they both registered the significance of their actions. Moments later they went back to the party as if nothing had happened because outwardly they would maintain they were just friends and it was nothing more than a friendly Christmas kiss. Inwardly they were both kept awake that night as they thought about the first time their lips had come together and what that meant.

Twelve months later at their latest Christmas party Andy continued to smile at Sharon as he edged closer to push his luck and see if she would indeed kiss him in her office for the first time when a voice suddenly cut through the room and the comfortable silence.

"Hello? Hello? Anyone there?" came Nicole's voice from the speakerphone.

Andy remained focused on Sharon and more importantly on her lips and therefore was completely oblivious to the fact that his daughter's voice was currently booming from the speaker. Sharon however was more than aware of both Nicole and what was currently occupying Andy's mind and tapped him on the back to get his attention. "Andy" she said quietly while nodding in the direction of the phone.

Realisation suddenly dawned on Andy as his head snapped towards the phone. "Oh! Nicole! Hi Nicole." Sharon shook her head and smiled as she sipped on her eggnog, its contents making her shudder from the huge amounts of bourbon. The fact that Andy could become so distracted by her was a constant ego boost to Sharon. After years of feeling unwanted and unloved because of Jack and a fair few hardly memorable dalliances in between, to feel wanted and loved every time he so much as looked in her direction made her feel like the luckiest and most beautiful woman alive, finally at the ripe old age of 'None of your business.'

"Hi Dad. How are you?" Nicole asked. The joy in her voice as she said the word 'Dad' these days made Andy feel ten feet tall, an effect that didn't go unnoticed by Sharon as she rubbed his back.

"I'm fine sweetheart. In the middle of the office Christmas party."

"Have you been kissing your boss by the photocopier?" Nicole asked cheekily.

Andy laughed as Sharon stifled a chuckle to hide her presence. "Something like that. Listen Nicole I was calling about Christmas dinner."

The change in Nicole's voice was instant. The joy had gone and was replaced with a tone Andy had spent decades hearing from his children, annoyance and disappointment. "Don't tell me, Sharon isn't coming. What did you do? How did you screw it up? Or have you been lying to me this whole time? Are you even together? I knew it! I should have known better!"

As Nicole ranted over the speakerphone Andy hid his face in his hands while Sharon bit her lip to stop herself from laughing. Andy knew this was all his fault and he had no one else to blame for Nicole's suspicions about his relationship. He had mislead Nicole over Sharon in the beginning and it was clear she was never going to forget it. Sharon again rubbed Andy's back before standing and turning around to lean forward on her desk to match his position. "Hi Nicole" she said loudly.

The line fell silent for a moment. "Oh hey Sharon. I didn't know you were...how are you? It's so good to speak to you" Nicole said with the joy returning.

"I'm wonderful thank you Nicole. Just wonderful" Sharon replied while smiling at Andy.

"Really?" Nicole asked. Her smile was almost audible as she immediately leapt to the correct conclusion as to what was currently making Sharon feel so 'wonderful.' "You know Dad it's only polite to tell someone when they're on speakerphone" she said embarrassedly.

"I didn't have chance to speak" Andy protested.

"Well go ahead now."

"If it's not too much trouble we were hoping you'd be able to squeeze an extra place in for dinner at Christmas" Andy asked tentatively even though he knew she'd instantly agree but didn't want to sound like he was being overly presumptuous.

"Of course. Who are you bringing?"

"Erm..." Andy said as he turned to Sharon for help. It wasn't that he had any problem with Rusty being gay and having a boyfriend, far from it, but they hadn't even been on a date yet so describing him and defining their current relationship status was something best left to others.

"For now let's just call him Rusty's 'friend'" Sharon confirmed.

"Rusty's 'friend.' Really?" Andy and Sharon glanced at each other as they anticipated what Nicole was about to say next. "A friend like you and my Dad were friends?"

Andy rolled his eyes, they'd walked straight into that one. "Nicole..."

"I'm just asking so I don't put my foot in it plus I love to hear you squirm" Nicole replied laughing. For all his confidence and bravado when alone with Sharon, Andy was constantly on the back foot and struggling to string a complete sentence together when his children were thrown into the mix with her. For some unknown reason these two parts of himself coming together, Andy the boyfriend and Andy the father, made him a nervous wreck.

Sharon couldn't help but laugh at Andy's discomfort. She again checked that no one was watching before she moved to put her head on his shoulder as they leaned on the desk together. "They've yet to go out on their first date" she explained.

"I see. How exciting. It's not a problem. I love a full house. What's his name?"

"Gustavo...well Gus" Andy said.

"Spelling that G-U-S?" Nicole asked.

Andy glanced at Sharon confused. "I guess. Why?"

"Because Dad it's not every day your father brings your future step mother to Christmas dinner and I have special table arrangements in mind." No sooner had the words registered in his mind then Andy had his head in his hands once more feeling absolutely mortified. Again Sharon could do nothing but smile and laugh into her eggnog at how suddenly awkward he was about their potential future together. The truth to it was that it was fine for Andy to joke with Sharon about getting married with him maintaining that he wouldn't need to propose because Sharon would do it for him but he worried about others bringing it up should they add any undue pressure on her shoulders especially as they'd only been together for five months. Andy was sure Sharon knew he was joking when he said those things to her and he really was but when Nicole said it the pressure for Sharon to commit was all too real and Andy was desperate not to spook her like a frightened horse since it had taken so long for them to get to this stage in their relationship. It was actually a testament to how far their relationship had gone in just under a week. Prior to that drive home seven days ago Andy was beyond nervous to tell Sharon he loved her in case his feelings weren't reciprocated. Now they'd both said it, and multiple times at that, they were both more relaxed and a lot more vocal about how they felt but that didn't mean Andy was comfortable with others voicing their opinions on the matter and perhaps jumping the gun. With the silence deafening in the office Nicole thought she'd been cut off. "Hello? Dad? Are you still there?"

Andy finally took his head out of his hands and smiled at Sharon. "You're killing me Nicole."

"That's my job." Again Sharon laughed and put her arm around Andy's shoulders to reassure him that she didn't feel pressured while continuing to sip on her potent cup of eggnog.

"So it's okay?" Andy asked regaining his composure.

"Of course. The more the merrier."

"There's just one little thing" Andy added again while glancing in Sharon's direction for a little help in what he was about to say. "Don't ask him about his family when you see him."

"Okay" Nicole replied beyond bewildered. "Can you expand on that?"

Seeing where Andy was going and sensing his difficulty in expressing himself Sharon took the initiative and sought a shortcut to enable Nicole to understand what they needed from her as quickly as possible. "Have you seen Rusty's Vlog?"

"Of course. It's wonderful. Sharon you must be so proud."

"Oh I am but you see we know Gus because his sister ended up in our murder room" Sharon explained.

Nicole paused for a moment. "The girl from his Vlog?"

"Yes. Gus is her brother" Sharon replied.

"I'm going to be honest Nicole, he's from an abusive home. One sister was murdered and the other he can't see as she awaits to be adopted. He's new to LA, he has no one" Andy said as he hoped that if he laid it all out on the line that would be the last time it would be discussed over the holidays to make life as easy as possible for both Gus and Rusty.

"Then we'll be more than happy to welcome him into our home for Christmas. I'll speak to Dean and figure out something to say to the boys."

Andy's smile grew as Sharon winked at him. "Thanks sweetheart."

"I can't wait. I'm so looking forward to it. I can't wait to see you Sharon."

Sharon grinned smugly at Andy while he looked a little put out. "What about me?" he asked as Sharon laughed.

"I can see you any time" Nicole said flatly without meaning any offense.

"Charming."

"Well I'll leave you to your party" Nicole said with mischief in her voice. "I hope you've bought Sharon something good for Christmas Dad. Something ring shaped."

"Nicole!" Andy shouted before his head ended up in his hands once more. Sharon snorted into her eggnog before putting her head back on his shoulder. The more of her eggnog that she drank, the less she seemed to care who may be watching them.

Nicole laughed. "You're too easy. Bye Dad. Bye Sharon."

"Bye Nicole" Sharon said before hanging up the phone. She smiled at Andy while he remained with his head in his hands shaking it slightly. He really didn't want any external pressure on Sharon even if Nicole was joking. Now that they had moved forward in their relationship it had become even more abundantly clear just how much he had to lose if he didn't tread carefully.

Andy finally looked at Sharon and smiled. "Don't encourage her."

"Why I do believe you're looking a little hot and sweaty around the collar there Lieutenant Flynn" Sharon said as she laughed and rubbed his back once more as an attempt to reassure him that she wasn't taking Nicole's teasing seriously.

Andy looked serious for a moment as he worried about how Sharon might feel about what Nicole said. "You know I've not said anything to Nicole, this is all in her head." Andy stood up, turned around and sat on the edge of her desk before Sharon did likewise.

"I know" Sharon said as she nudged him slightly with her shoulder. "You can stop panicking" she added before taking his hand and lacing her fingers through his, the closeness of their bodies blocking this contact from view.

Relieved Andy smiled again which quickly transformed into a smug expression as he relaxed, suggesting he was about to say something with the sole purpose of getting a rise out of her. "When I said I was waiting for you to propose I meant it. You'll do it eventually."

Sharon shook her head as she grinned at him. "That's some confidence you have there Lieutenant." Sharon knew Andy was joking and she secretly loved it. His insistence confirmed to her that he wasn't tempted to rush her into a bigger commitment any time soon and to prove that point he maintained that the ball was firmly in her court. It was clear to her though even before she clapped eyes on the ring box in his bedroom that he would eventually ask when the time was right and not a moment before which was a good thing really. In the previous week Andy had said Sharon was going to propose to him so many times that she was now at the point where she'd rather never marry him than prove him right and be the one to cave and ask. She just had to keep her fingers crossed that she didn't one day blurt it out like she did with her declaration of love should Andy remember her shoe size or something else equally as random but oh so significant to her.

"Probably because your eyes follow my backside around the murder room all day like a sexy version of one of your creepy little angels."

Sharon rolled her eyes. She didn't know what to protest about first, her ogling or her angels. Sharon had battled long and hard over the last couple of days to ensure she didn't ogle Andy when they were alone at work, more so since he'd caught her doing it and bent over to encourage her the day after they'd first slept together. Then there were her angels which they had been in a week long battle over. If Andy had turned the one in her bedroom around to face the wall once he'd done it a dozen times that week mainly because it amused him and he liked to see her reaction so as a result the angels won. "They're not..." Sharon turned around to look at the two angels which sat proudly on the cabinet behind her desk. Her mouth dropped open as she noticed that they had once again both been turned around to look out the window. "You've turned them around again! Andy! When did you even find time to do that?" In response to her question Andy just laughed. It was actually the first thing he did upon entering her office. Sharon immediately stood up. She had had enough. Getting Andy to like her angels was a harder job than getting Rusty to like Andy. She took Andy by the hand and pulled him up. "Come here" she said as she led him around her desk and pushed him into her chair with a thud. "Sit" she ordered prior to swivelling him around to face her at the side of her desk. She quickly glanced over her shoulder at the party. A smile exploded onto her face at the sight of a line of backs belonging to her colleagues facing her. No one was watching them. With that in mind and spurred on by the booze in the eggnog Sharon elected to do something completely out of character. She leaned in close, pushing her body against Andy as if she was about to plant a passion filled kiss to his lips.

"Maybe this is when you should close the blinds" he said quietly as he stared into her eyes from a few inches away and smouldered.

"Oh I don't care if anyone watches" Sharon said huskily mere millimetres from his lips. She smiled as Andy closed his eyes. Just as their lips were about to brush together Sharon suddenly pulled back after retrieving one of her angels from behind Andy's shoulder. Sharon sat on the edge of her desk as she smoothed down the hair on the red and gold satin angel in her hands. "Now here, this is Juliet."

Confused by what had just happened Andy stared at her for a moment flummoxed. "You've named them?" he asked finally as he bit on his lip to stop himself from laughing.

"I would naturally name them given the chance but they come pre-named. Now, like I was saying, this is Juliet. Juliet was the very first angel I ever bought myself which is why she is so special and she comes to work with me."

Andy was desperate to laugh at this wonderfully childlike and neurotic side to the fierce Captain Raydor that he was one of the very privileged few to see up close and personal as he looked at her quizzically. "Have you ever sought professional help for this problem?"

Sharon instantly put her hands on her hips and gave him a stern look like a teacher about to chastise a cheeky child. "You know for someone looking for his girlfriend to put out tonight you're going the wrong way about it" she said bluntly hiding her smile.

The change in Andy's expression was instant as he moved his focus squarely onto the angel in question. "So this is Juliet you say?" he said with a smile.

Sharon laughed. Over the last week Andy had become far too easy to manipulate with the mere mention of 'sex.' Sharon had no idea how long it would last (probably until they put the tag on his toe) but was eager to take advantage for as long as she could. "Yes. And this is Gladys" she said while retrieving the other angel from the cabinet behind Andy.

"Gladys? That's the least sexy name I've ever heard."

Sharon leant forward towards Andy as she held an angel in each hand. "Would you like to touch them?" she said lot more softly and suggestively than she intended. The moment the words left Sharon's mouth Andy's face erupted into the filthiest of smiles she had ever seen. He glanced over his shoulder to see the party in full swing on the other side of the glass before turning back to Sharon and her cleavage that was currently directly in front of him and no more than a few inches from his face. Realising how he'd interpreted what she said Sharon sat back slightly and rolled her eyes while trying not to laugh. "The angels Andy! The angels!" she shouted before pinching the back of his knee.

Andy laughed again. "This is like the world's worst puppet show."

"Look we all have our little peccadilloes. This is mine."

"But it's slightly freaky. Look at her eyes" Andy said indicating 'Gladys' who looked like a cartoon character that had been hit in the face with a frying pan.

"Have I said a word about the giant stack of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit magazines piled up in your bathroom?" Sharon asked as seriously as she could.

"It's hardly a stack" Andy replied defensively.

"Andy if it were to topple over I would be crushed to death within seconds."

"I read them for the articles" Andy lied with a smile.

"Sure you do. If I can put up with your boob tower you will bond with my angels."

"Bond?" Andy questioned. "Sharon these angels, do they ever talk to you?"

Again Sharon glared at him while trying to avoid laughing. "Yes they tell me I need a new boyfriend." Sharon immediately thrusted the angels into Andy's hands like she was introducing a nervous child to a puppy. "There, now aren't they beautiful?"

Andy examined the angels in his hands as Sharon beamed at him, beyond proud of her favourite possessions coming into close contact with her favourite man. Her pride did not last long as Andy reacted like someone had forced him to handle week old roadkill. He frowned and turned 'Juliet' around to face Sharon. "This one looks like my mother and she's been dead twenty years."

"Andy you're not taking this seriously."

"I am, I am" Andy laughed. "Juliet is lovely and not cross eyed at all. Now Gladys is also lovely if you like tiny woollen knitted perverts with wings in your office" he said as sincerely as possible.

"You've got a shocking lack of taste" Sharon bemoaned as she took the angels off him and positioned them back in their rightful home facing outwardly on the cabinet.

Andy leaned forward and took her hand. She gladly allowed this most innocent of gestures but made sure to check that once again no one was watching them, lowering their hands below the desk and out of view. "Well that's blatantly not true" he said.

"You think you're such a smooth talker don't you?"

"I have just charmed three angels down from the heavens and into my lap." It was cheesy and the type of line she knew he'd used on countless blondes in bars but Sharon just had to smile at him.

Meanwhile in the murder room, out of sight of Sharon, Taylor hadn't been able to do anything else but watch the two of them comfortably interact away from the group through the glass as he finished his eggnog. When he'd spoken to Sharon a few minutes earlier he couldn't hide his surprise that they were spending Christmas together. If he was honest before the uncomfortable morning when Andy walked into PAB with a black eye he didn't honestly know if they were still dating. Yes he knew that Sharon had taken him in when he was injured and he had been there on the day of his operation but the way that they handled themselves at work led him to believe they had gone back to just being very good friends as Andy indicated they would do if it didn't work out. As a result he currently found himself surprised and more than a tad pleased. He had worried for the division after their announcement after all he considered Major Crimes to be the pride of the LAPD but looking at them in interviews together and how they had continued to work together without incident since Andy's return to work he had realised that he really hadn't needed to but it was Sharon Raydor after all and he should have known better than to expect her professionalism to slip. But Taylor's concerns had nothing really to do with Sharon and everything to do with Andy. If he was honest when Sharon and Andy first told him they were dating he worried that someone had put him up to it and it was some sort of crude bet. The resident womaniser trying to seduce the rule obsessed Captain. What a story Andy would have to tell then. What grotesque images would he be able to paint about the always dignified Sharon Raydor. Many would see it as his crowning achievement. Except Taylor acknowledged himself just how much Andy had changed in a fairly short period of time. He had known Andy Flynn most of his career and one of his biggest regrets during his time at the LAPD was allowing him to transfer to Priority Homicide. However in some ways it was also a relief because Andy was forever getting himself into trouble both professionally and personally at Robbery Homicide and as his commanding officer he was always left to clean up the mess. Andy of cause was always exonerated of all accusations against his conduct but it was his personal life which was the biggest problem. Andy had got into trouble with more women in his life than Taylor had eaten hot dinners, that was until quite recently. The change in Andy had been remarkable and Taylor had seen it with his own eyes. In years gone by he would go to bars with Provenza and since he couldn't drink, he amused himself by picking up as many women as possible while Provenza got drunk. He had begun to slow down over the previous 18 months but when Provenza met Patrice any remnants of that behaviour were immediately curtailed. However even if women weren't involved Andy and Provenza still had a knack for getting themselves into trouble. They were known as the Abbott and Costello of the LAPD and how they had never been fired was beyond him. Taylor knew how much Pope dreaded the words 'Flynn and Provenza' being used in sentence in his office because it always spelt trouble but he'd so far not experienced that problem. Whether it was Sharon's influence on the both of them, Andy in particular, or whether it was because Andy fell in love with her and reined in his behaviour Taylor didn't know but the squad actually worked better now that they were a couple. Rather than their relationship effecting work in a negative way, it had resulted in an integral member of the division being more focused at work.

Seeing Provenza refilling his cup Taylor strolled towards him. "So it's still going on then?" he asked as he pointed at Sharon and Andy.

Provenza glanced up briefly to see what he was talking about. "It would appear so" he said completely disinterested.

"You're not surprised?"

"If at all possible Chief, I try not to think about what Flynn gets up to with the Captain away from this building" Provenza stated bluntly before re-joining Mike and Julio.

Back in her office Sharon and Andy had no idea they were being watched and discussed by Taylor and were too focused on each other to notice or care. Andy remained planted in Sharon's chair as she perched on her desk next to him with their fingers linked together.

"So what have you got me for Christmas?" Andy asked.

"A laminated copy of the LAPD Code of Ethics for all Officers."

Andy laughed. "Ooooh bedtime reading. You know how I love it when you whisper the rules and regulations in my ear when we're in bed. It's such a turn on."

"Once! I did it once!" Sharon shouted as her arm flailed wildly.

"Once is more than enough" Andy asserted.

"You asked me a question!"

"I didn't mean it. When I asked 'What does it say in your rule book about doing this with a subordinate' I didn't expect you to take it so literally."

Sharon moved in close to his ear and said in a sultry whisper "You like it when I whisper in your ear."

"But not Volume 1 Subsection 271 of the fraternisation code in the LAPD manual!" Andy exclaimed quite loudly.

"Exactly! A-ha! I knew you were paying attention!" Sharon said proudly. "See I am beginning to rub off on you."

"It was only a matter of time." Andy's face suddenly dropped as he came over completely serious. "I've been thinking. Since Gus will be spending Christmas with us now we should probably get him something to open before we leave for Nicole's. I can't imagine he'll receive anything from his family" he said while stealing a quick glance at Gus.

"I was thinking the same thing."

"It might help him out for work and getting around LA if I can get hold of one of the old reconditioned LAPD laptops. I know it's not new but it's better than nothing right?"

"That's a wonderful idea Andy."

Andy grinned. "I do have them from time to time."

"More than from time to time in my experience" Sharon replied as she held his hand even tighter.

Before Andy had chance to respond he was distracted by a frustrated Rusty standing inches away from the glass, staring at the pair of them and almost trembling like a squirrel suppressing a fart as he waited for his answer from Nicole. "We're being watched" Andy said as he gestured towards Rusty.

Sharon turned to see Rusty staring at them with his face turning redder by the second and his eye twitching like a frog leg in a science experiment. "He looks like he's ready to explode. Let me go and tell him the good news." Sharon stood and made her way to her door with Andy following close behind. "No you stay here I want to talk to you about something" she said to him before he returned to her desk and sat on the edge. Sharon opened the door and poked her head out. "Rusty" she called before giving him the thumbs up. Rusty instantly smiled and took a deep breath before slowly walking towards Gus ready to ask the question. Sharon went back into her office and closed the door before sitting back down next to Andy on the edge of her desk to watch Gus' response.

Andy and Sharon watched Rusty as he tentatively spoke to Gus, hoping for a good outcome. "What if Gus says 'No' now?" Andy asked cautiously.

"You'll be phoning Nicole again and pretending this didn't happen." Suddenly Gus nodded and embraced Rusty. Sharon sighed with relief. "I think we can take that as a 'Yes'."

"This should be when you start to perfect your 'Do you think you're good enough to dating my baby?' glare. If you want any tips on it Rusty has been giving it to me for five months now."

Sharon took Andy's hand once more, the alcohol she'd consumed making her no longer concerned who may be paying them any attention. "He's getting better and who knows maybe being in a relationship of his own may make him more accepting of the situation. And plus Gus seems like a nice guy."

Andy nodded. "I think he is." The twelve or so hours that Gus had stayed with Andy as he tried to work out what exactly he wanted from the LAPD before Mariana was buried taught him a lot. He knew Rusty thought differently but he hadn't taken Gus home in an attempt to make Rusty like him or to score points with Sharon, he'd done it because Gus was alone, grieving and needed help and he was never going to get it from Hobbs until he felt comfortable enough to open up to someone. It was evident quite quickly that Gus was a polite, sensitive and respectful young man and a perfect fit for Rusty. Whereas sometimes Rusty could behave like a ferret stuffed down someone's trousers Gus was relaxed, calm and considered. In a small way Andy thought they were a bit like him and Sharon with Sharon being similar to Gus and him to Rusty. In that respect he hoped Rusty and Gus would be good for each other in their own way just as Sharon had been good for him and vice versa. "While you were talking to Provenza he told me he has a job starting next week and a place to stay in LA so he's here for keeps now either way. And they have a lot in common so that should help in a weird way."

"Maybe but opposites also attract" Sharon said as she smiled at him.

"That I'm more than aware of." Both Sharon and Andy registered very early on in their relationship that the biggest stumbling block they would face, apart from working together, was that they were so very different. It was true that opposites often attract and many people don't need a lot in common in order to make their relationship work but they both worried about it at the beginning. It wasn't just that they were vastly different people in terms of attitude for example but also in terms of what they liked and disliked. But at the end of the day they were friends, very good friends long before they took things forward and that wasn't affected by being complete opposites, therefore why should it cause problems now within their romantic life. "What did you want to speak to me about?" Andy asked.

Sharon adjusted herself on the edge of the desk revealing her discomfort at the topic of conversation she was about to divulge. Sensing the shift in mood Andy squeezed her hand tightly as she looked for the right words. "Lieutenant Provenza has received a report after one of our flags was picked up" Sharon explained with the worry in her voice evident.

"Stroh?" Andy asked trying not to sound too concerned.

"No. Oh God don't even say that. It seems Sharon Beck has been released from prison."

Andy's face read complete surprise. "Really?"

"She's completed a spell in rehab and is now testing clean and living in Eagle Rock" Sharon replied in as neutral a tone as she could muster.

"Eagle Rock?"

"That's what it says." Whereas Sharon seemed completely relaxed and calm and almost disinterested about the situation when discussing it with Provenza and Mike in the murder room, she was now visibly concerned and a bit stressed about it now that she was alone with Andy. There was no escaping it, Sharon did feel conflicted about the situation but not in the way people may think. Sharon Beck was always going to be Rusty's mother and they would always share a bond Sharon would never have with him and she would never stand in the way of that. It was always in the back of her mind that people may think she was jealous and she would sabotage the relationship between Rusty and his mother given the opportunity but that was far from the truth. She desperately wanted Rusty to have a solid relationship with his mother. Like how she felt about her own children and Jack, whether the parent deserves it or not, the children shouldn't suffer and should have their parent in their life. Her worry as always was that the other Sharon continually proved to be such a disruptive force when she put in an appearance and since Rusty was so settled at the moment she didn't want to see him put through the ringer once again because of his mother's instability and chaotic lifestyle.

"Do you want me to look into it?" Andy asked as he slid his arm around her waist.

"No that's not why I'm telling you. I already have two Lieutenants keeping an eye on the situation for me. I'm telling you as my boyfriend and not my Lieutenant."

Andy smiled. "Okay. Well as your boyfriend let me ask how do you feel about this?"

Sharon scrunched up her face. "I put the report in the trash." Andy again looked surprised before it dawned on him what exactly he'd witnessed earlier. "I've meddled in that woman's life more than enough for one lifetime" she explained.

Andy nodded. "But still what about Rusty?"

Sharon covered her face with her hands. "I don't know what to do. I don't want him to think that I'm keeping things from him about her or worse, that we're keeping tracks on her. It's an old flag from when we were looking for her after he first went into emergency care. If she wants to see him I can't stop that, I wouldn't want to stop that." Sharon looked up to see Rusty through the glass laughing and smiling with Gus, looking as relaxed and happy as he'd ever been since the day she first met him. "But he's just so settled at the moment."

Andy pushed his lips to the side of her head. This was a risk he felt given their location but under the circumstances knew that she needed it and wouldn't object to this subtle sign of affection. "I know" he reassured her. "I understand. If she gets in touch she gets in touch. We'll be there for him to deal with the consequences and that's all we can do."

Sharon couldn't fail to register the word 'we' and the fact that Andy used it twice, making it leap out at her even more. For all bar the first couple of years of motherhood Sharon had basically parented on her own without any serious help or support. Since Rusty had come into her life and she had another chance to raise a child she had help in the unexpected form of Provenza but he was hardly a parent, more of a friend to Rusty. Now there was Andy and despite the way Rusty had reacted to him and their relationship, it seemed he was fully prepared and willing to take on the mantle of 'adopted parent' with her. Andy had decided quite early on that he would never force himself into a fatherly role with Rusty but given his relationship with Sharon it was going to be unavoidable at times. By his own admission he had been a lousy father to his children until very recently so Rusty presented him with a second chance to get it right, a chance he was going to grab with both hands when and if he was required. "We?" Sharon asked with a smile.

Andy grinned back. "Yes, we."

Sharon just stared at him for a moment as he smiled back before asking "But do you think I should tell him?"

"No" Andy said instantly.

"Why?"

"As you said it's an old flag. You weren't keeping track of her and it's almost by accident that you even found out. If she wanted him to know she'd been released she would have been in contact by now. Leave it to her to make the first move."

"Why do you think she hasn't already?" When it came to Sharon Beck asking why she chose to do what she did was like trying to discover the motives of a cat. But Sharon truly appreciated both now and the first time the other Sharon was released from rehab Andy's input since he could speak from personal experience and had a greater insight in the world of addiction since she had only experienced it from Rusty's point of view.

"Well from my experience maybe because she needs to get herself sorted and sober and coping alone before she brings loved ones into the mix. That's what I did." Sharon squeezed his hand. Andy had deliberately avoided talking about his history with addiction with Sharon as much as possible because he felt she'd had to deal with enough of that in her life and it was his problem, not hers. He wasn't hiding anything and he knew the conversation was going to happen eventually but he currently found it hard to discuss it with her, a fact she was fully aware of as she waited patiently to be there for him should he ever need it. "You need to be able to cope on your own before you worry about other people. Then you can start making amends to the people in your life." Andy grinned. "Or she could just be avoiding you. You are pretty scary you know." Sharon laughed as Andy again chanced his arm and pushed his lips to the side of her head again. "Don't worry about it. It'll be fine. Whatever happens I'm here and we'll face it together. Here let me top up your drink" Andy said as he picked up the empty cup from her desk and went to leave.

Sharon immediately grabbed his hand and made him sit back down. "No wait. I wanted to apologise first."

"For what?" Andy asked as he put the cup back down.

"For this afternoon. What I said in electronics, in front of Buzz. Andy I'm so sorry" Sharon said with complete sincerity. Sharon had been thinking about it all afternoon and felt awful about the situation. She was worried she had embarrassed Andy in front of Buzz which judging by his reaction she probably had done. She had questioned if she should have taken Andy outside and told him in the corridor, even though she wouldn't have done that with anyone else in the division. Regardless of how either of them felt, Sharon had shot Andy down for the right reasons, he wasn't yet cleared to go into the field no matter how he felt about the situation but still she was concerned that in that moment perhaps she hadn't been speaking purely as his Captain.

Andy put his arm back around her waist and pulled her close to him. "Sharon don't. You were right. It's not my decision to make. It's not yours for that matter either. It's my Doctor's and then Provenza's to sign the paperwork."

"I know but I'm not entirely sure I said it as just your Captain" Sharon said while biting her lip a little awkwardly.

Andy squeezed her tightly. "Don't beat yourself up about it. It's unavoidable. Sometimes you're going to be both my Captain and my girlfriend at the same time and on this occasion you were both right." There was no denying that Andy was a little embarrassed by what had happened because it had happened in front of Buzz. If he could put his pride to one side for a moment he acknowledged himself that he wasn't yet fit enough to be out in the field but if only he hadn't suggested breaking free from the confines of PAB in front of Buzz. Whether Sharon had said it as his Captain or as his girlfriend it didn't matter, Buzz would only see it as both together and with Andy being 'under the thumb' despite the fact she would have told any member of the division, even Buzz, the exact same thing under similar circumstances.

"I know but I'm still sorry" Sharon said as she took hold of Andy's tie and let it run through her finger tips. Once again, despite the current state of their relationship, this simple action meant so much more. It continued to be a substitute for a kiss she wasn't able to give him because of their current location.

Andy smiled. "Then you can make it up to me later but first you need to admit that you like bossing me around. Have me do you bidding."

"As a matter of fact yes I do because now unlike five years ago when I give you an order, you actually follow it." They both laughed. "I've missed you."

"Why? Where have I been?"

On the previous Saturday evening after Andy's kitchen had been thoroughly cleaned and the house aired out they had fallen into each other's arms and straight into bed. If Andy wasn't aware during the first few nights they'd shared a bed together he was that night, Sharon was a talker in bed, a big talker. Sharon's idea of pillow talk was to talk about anything and everything no matter how crazy it may seem. Andy loved it. He loved that private time which was just the two of them when they would discuss whatever random thing crossed her mind and as it turned out a lot of random things did. That evening however after a discussion about a crack on her childhood bedroom ceiling that looked like Walter Mattheu in The Fortune Cookie the rule book came back out and the relationship agreement was amended and expanded once more. It was agreed that while they would currently avoid sharing a bed during an active case because Sharon wanted to concentrate fully on the task at hand (not that an active case left much time for date nights or anything else for that matter) they also wouldn't spend more than four nights apart. It was a contradiction but without that amendment they could potentially fall into a pattern of spending weeks apart during heavy caseloads and that was no way to have a relationship. In truth it wasn't much of a departure to what they already had in place except now they obviously shared a bed. In the previous five month period they tried to avoid date nights during cases but would break that rule every four days if need be even if that meant a very quick meal from a take out in Andy's car close to midnight.

The Sunday after the 'Rat Incident' as it came to be known Sharon went home to spend the day with Rusty to make sure he was okay since Slider's sentencing was expected the following day. It was also decided (by Sharon but Andy eventually agreed) that it wouldn't be a bad idea to apply the brake pedal to their sudden full on relationship and although she didn't want to, felt the need for them to spend a couple of nights apart. Andy agreed because to be perfectly frank during the first five nights they shared a bed, Sharon had worn him out. He would never complain but he was not a young man anymore, he wasn't a middle aged man either and he was exhausted so much so he got into his own head and he became concerned about his exhaustion (both from returning to work following his operation and his more recent physical exertions with Sharon) causing him to fail to 'rise to the occasion.' He didn't know if he'd be able to keep up with her for much longer without a break and he flat out refused to have any 'assistance' as Sharon called it. Women may think it's okay to say 'Don't worry, it happens to everyone' but Andy was determined to not let it happen to him, especially with Sharon, well not yet anyway. After Sharon left his house on the Sunday morning Andy went straight to his bedroom and fell asleep where he landed, at the foot of the bed in full face down starfish mode. There he remained, dead to the world until two hours before his alarm was due to go off for work the following morning. The first thing Sharon asked him at work on Monday was if he was okay since he'd slept through his phone ringing as she called him four times throughout the day. Then Major Crimes caught it's next case and work took precedence with Monday's date being cancelled as they worked well into the night following the shooting at the college and subsequent man hunt for Brad Powell so the 'Four Night Rule' was waiting to come into effect by Wednesday (the day before Christmas Eve when they would hopefully be closing up for the holidays anyway) if they hadn't had chance to see each other properly before then. With Andy still confined to PAB they had worked closely together over the last 48 hours (and rather pleasingly for Sharon without incident since this was the first case they had worked together after the change in their sleeping arrangements. She was thrilled when she eventually went home in the wee small hours of Tuesday morning and from the outside their relationship looked entirely and exclusively professional) but it wasn't the same as talking about nonsense with each other and falling asleep in each other's arms.

"You know what I mean. I've missed talking to you in bed, falling asleep next to you" Sharon said maintaining her grip on his tie.

"I've missed you too but not the violence that comes with you."

Sharon laughed. "I promise to keep my hands to myself tonight."

"Not all night I hope."

Sharon immediately looked away and at the division she was currently neglecting enjoying the party. If she hadn't she would have pounced on him and although no one on the other side of the glass would have cared, she did and she wasn't yet prepared to kiss him at work, not like that and not in full view anyway. "Have you got a change of clothes in your car?" she finally asked.

"What happened to my clothes you took home with you on Sunday?" Andy queried. As per their discussion Sharon had taken home a spare suit and a couple of extra shirts and pairs of pants so Andy would always have clothes at her condo making it much easier for him to stay there whenever he wanted.

Sharon smiled coyly. "I may have been sleeping in your shirts since then."

"May have?"

"Yep" Sharon answered sheepishly. Without giving it a second thought the moment Sharon walked into her bedroom with Andy's bag of clothes she immediately put his dress shirts in her pyjama drawer and that's where they were staying whether he liked it or not. As a result she'd slept in one of his shirts ever since and had no intention of changing that arrangement any time soon.

"Oh good because I'm wearing the underwear you left at mine right now. It really bunches round the back. I look really sexy" he joked.

Sharon laughed before her eyes widened. "Andy as much as that image...intrigues me if you can fit into my underwear I'll shoot myself."

"I didn't say they fit well." Sharon shook her head while he laughed. "Who knew you only wanted to get me out of my clothes so you could put them on."

"What can I say, your shirts are just comfier to sleep in. So have you got a change of clothes or not?" Sharon asked again.

"I have two changes of clothes in the car because you never know who might want to sleep in them."

"Yes, you never know." Sharon briefly glanced at Rusty through the glass before she decided to say what she desperately wanted to. Her decision making somewhat influenced by the amount of alcohol she'd just consumed on an empty stomach. "I've been thinking, how about on Christmas Eve you pack a bag and come and stay with me over the holidays."

Andy looked surprised. "Really?"

"Until New Year at least" Sharon said confidently.

Andy smiled but couldn't hide his surprise. He hadn't been expecting this invitation. He had assumed since they would be spending the holidays together that he would stay over a few nights here and there as per their agreement but this was a much bigger commitment, a commitment he hadn't anticipated since he'd agreed to take his foot off the gas. "I thought we were applying the brake pedal a little."

"We are and we have but it's Christmas and I want to spend as much time with you as possible over the holidays" Sharon said honestly. It wasn't what they had agreed three days before but Sharon always did have a sense of occasion and since it was Christmas she wanted to see Andy as much as physically possible. "If you want to that is" Sharon said suddenly sounding nervous following his surprise.

"What if we get called in?"

Sharon thought for a moment. "I think spending time together during our first Christmas as a couple takes precedence over our current rules."

Andy jaw almost hit the ground as he laughed. "'Takes precedence over our current rules?' Who are you and what have you done with Captain Raydor?"

Sharon playfully glared at him. "Do you want to or not?"

"Have you moved that creepy angel?" Andy asked grinning.

"I'm never moving that angel unless it's to your nightstand so it can keep a watchful eye over you while you sleep."

"Do I get my Christmas present early?"

Sharon took his tie once more as it continued to be a substitute for their lips coming together. "There's a very good chance you might get part of it tonight if you play your cards right."

"I'd love to. But maybe you should..." Andy trailed off as he nodded in Rusty's direction.

"I'll speak to Rusty about it first." Sharon had fully intended to discuss it with Rusty but in the moment was unable to stop herself from asking Andy first.

"I think it's time to re-join the party" Andy said as he stood up and moved to the door.

Sharon joined him but hung back a little as he placed his hand on the door knob. "Come here first" she said gesturing for him to take a step back from the door and further to the corner and join her.

"Why?"

"Just get here" Sharon asserted. Andy took the small step closer to her and was taken completely by surprise when she reached up and ran her arms around his neck. "Blind spot" she said as she gestured to the wall and the door on either side of the corner they occupied before crashing their mouths together in a complete assault on his lips.

As they pulled apart Andy looked as shocked as he'd ever done. He couldn't believe that firstly Sharon had finally kissed him in the work place and such a frenzied kiss at that but also that she'd worked out her office had a blind spot for just such an occasion. "How did you know this office had a blind spot?"

"I figured it out on my second day in charge so I could hide from Lieutenant Provenza when he went on the rampage" Sharon said before laughing and pushing their lips together once more. This was no joke. When Sharon first took over Major Crimes she realised she was going to need somewhere to hide from Provenza that wasn't the ladies room in order to allow him to calm down from whatever slight he was accusing her of at that particular moment. It had come in handy over the years, even more so now she had a strong drink inside her and her boyfriend in her arms. As she kissed Andy her hands gradually made their way south and came to rest on his backside.

Andy's eyes opened and widened as Sharon groped his posterior. "What has got into you?" he asked as he broke their lips apart. He wasn't complaining in the slightest but it was the last thing he expected when Sharon called him towards her.

"What do you mean?"

"Kissing me in your office with your hand on my ass?"

"I'm just checking you haven't really got my underwear on under there."

Andy laughed. "That is definitely not in the rule book."

"I know but it's Christmas and I love you and I've missed these lips over the last three days" Sharon said before meeting his lips once more. "Also, blind spot and I think I've had most of the bourbon in that little bit of eggnog" she said with the alcohol in her words now evident.

"You think?" Andy laughed again as the taste from Sharon's eggnog now lingered on his lips. "Slightly Boozy Sharon may be my new favourite."

"I may need you to drive me home" Sharon said honestly.

"I don't think that's even up for debate" Andy replied with a smile. As they released one another from each other's arms Sharon straightened his tie once more. "I need a drink and I want your body" Andy stated before leaning down and blowing a raspberry on Sharon's neck. Before Sharon had chance to respond Andy was out the door and heading for the drinks table.

Sharon watched Andy with a smile as she left her office. As Andy slowly approached her again with a fresh drink her attention was caught by Rusty who suddenly appeared at her side full of the joys of spring. "He said yes" Rusty said proudly.

"I saw. Yay!" Sharon said loudly and incredibly enthusiastically as she waved her hands in the air, clearly an effect of the eggnog.

Rusty looked at her like she'd suddenly gone crazy before Andy sidled up beside him and quietly said "No more eggnog for your Mom." Andy winked at Sharon to show he was joking before handing her a fresh cup and making his way back to the drinks table.

Rusty looked around confused for a moment before shaking it off. "Thanks so much Mom" he said before gesturing towards Gus who was now in deep conversation with Julio.

"Don't thank me, thank Andy."

"Okay. I will." Rusty nodded.

"Speaking of which, is it okay with you if Andy stays with us over the holidays?" Sharon asked.

"Are you asking me or telling me?"

"I'm asking you under the assumption you will of course say 'Yes' like I hope you will ask me before anyone stays over and I of course say 'Yes.'"

Rusty immediately smiled. "Mom, I didn't even think it was open to debate. I just assumed Andy would be staying with us over the holidays. So yes. That's absolutely fine with me, no need to ask."

"Thank you Rusty." Sharon wrapped Rusty in a bear hug as she made him sway back and forth against his will another clear indication that she'd had more than her fair share of the bourbon in her eggnog.

As Rusty battled to break free from Sharon who was fully embracing the Christmas spirit in all its forms Andy made his way over to Provenza who was sitting in his familiar pose, leaning back in his chair with his feet on his desk. "I take it you're hanging on to the report about our favourite Mother in Chief?" Andy asked quietly.

"It's in my drawer. The Captain told you about it?"

"Well not in an official capacity" Andy explained.

"Okay well Mike and I have got it officially. You handle things 'unofficially' at home and we're take care of it from this end" Provenza replied in hushed tones.

"Let me know if anything changes."

"Likewise."

Andy nodded at Provenza before turning round to return to the party but only to be stopped by Gus grinning from ear to ear. "Lieutenant can I please just say thank you. I'm so grateful to be spending Christmas with your family" Gus said with the raw emotion clear in his voice.

"Don't mention it kid." Andy patted Gus on the shoulder and went to find Sharon.

"No really Lieutenant, thank you" Gus said again causing Andy to stop dead in his tracks. "If it wasn't for you and your family I'd be spending Christmas alone."

That was enough to stop Andy, if he had too much experience in one area, it was spending Christmas alone. He had spent far too many holidays alone and miserable except when he was trapped in an RV with Provenza, the Chief, Howard, the Chief's parents and a dirt bag. "I've been there, done that and please call me Andy."

"Okay, well thank you again Andy. So you're Rusty's step father?" Gus asked.

"He wishes" Provenza interjected as he passed them on his way to the drinks table.

"He didn't ask you" Andy shouted after Provenza. "No, not yet. Just his Mom's evil boyfriend" Andy joked.

"Evil?" Gus asked confused.

"It's taken some time for him to get used to the idea. I'm sad to say he has a similar past to you with regards to Mothers and their boyfriends" Andy said quietly.

Gus stared in Rusty's direction. "He never told me."

"That's what dating is for." Andy looked around quickly to make sure that no one was close enough to hear before taking a step closer to Gus. "Listen Gus. My daughter Nicole has this crazy Christmas tradition" he said quietly. "She likes everyone to show up to dinner in the most gaudy, awful Christmas sweaters imaginable. I mean you should see these things. They're the stuff of nightmares."

Gus laughed. "I see. That sounds great. And you'd like me to..."

"Well if you don't mind" Andy said while attempting to hide his smile. If you knew Andy well it was easy to tell that he was lying. The look on his face, a sort of manic smug smile, was the biggest give away let alone how much his nostrils were flaring. Sadly Gus did not know Andy at all and fell for it hook line and sinker. Of course Nicole didn't have a tradition of horrible Christmas sweaters but Andy liked the idea of making Gus turn up in one looking like an idiot just for his own amusement and to make Gus feel more at home. "Look I'll give you some money" Andy added as he produced two $20 bills from his pocket.

"No Lieutenant you don't..."

"Andy please and yes I do. Look this is my daughter's tradition. You haven't started your job yet. Let me pay for it" Andy replied as he placed the bills in Gus' hand. It was Andy's practical joke and he was determined not to let Gus pay for it.

"Okay. Thank you. I'll try to find a good one."

"Great kid" Andy said proudly as he patted him on the back once more. "Remember the more horrendous the better. Oh just one more thing." Andy moved even closer to Gus to whisper as his nostrils continued to flare like crazy. "I haven't told Sharon and Rusty yet. I've bought them both a sweater for Christmas as a surprise so let's keep this just between us for now. Okay?"

"Sure thing Lieu...Andy" Gus said as he corrected himself mid-sentence.

"What are you two talking about?" Rusty asked as he seemed to appear out of nowhere once again making them both jump a little. Andy was convinced that Rusty was once a ninja in a previous life as he had the habit of sneaking up on him, discovering him behind him in the kitchen when he was icing his eye in just his underwear being the prime example.

Since Andy looked like he was struggling for the words that Rusty would believe Gus took the initiative. "I was just thanking Andy for inviting me to spend Christmas with you all."

Rusty looked between the pair of them suspiciously, smelling a rat but not being able to put his finger on what exactly was going on. Eventually he smiled and said "Yeah, thanks Lieutenant."

"Not a problem kid."

Sensing Rusty wasn't buying what he and Gus were selling and not knowing if Sharon had shared her knowledge on how to spot when he was lying, Andy opted to move away from the scene of the crime as quickly as possible. As he walked towards Sharon and Mike his grin stretched from ear to ear. Even with a fair amount of bourbon inside her it was clear to Sharon almost immediately that Andy had been up to something. "What are you grinning at?" she asked as she looked at him quizzically.

"Nothing. Nothing at all" Andy lied as he glanced at Mike.

"You've been up to something."

"I've been doing nothing just having a chat with Gus that's all" Andy protested as he laughed and smiled at Mike.

"You forget your nose flares when you lie and I can read you like a book."

"Ha!" laughed Mike as he enjoyed catching a rare glimpse of Andy with his girlfriend rather than his Captain and seeing her being more than a match for him away from work.

Andy grabbed hold of his nose and winked at Sharon before moving back to the food table with Mike in tow. Sharon shook her head at him and laughed as Andrea joined her.

"Sharon" Andrea said joyfully as she chinked their cups together in a plastic toast.

"Andrea. Happy Holidays."

"And to you too" Andrea responded before moving a little closer to Sharon's ear. "And as an early Christmas present for the record, that blind spot in your office isn't so blind from that wall." Andrea laughed into her eggnog as Sharon's eyes widened. That corner of her office was the perfect blind spot from the majority of the murder room (excluding anywhere in the vicinity of the conference room where it was anything but a secretive) with the exception of that one area on the far wall where Andrea had briefly come to rest to remove the half eaten burrito that she had discovered mysteriously skewered on her heel. Her bewilderment as to where it had come from and how long she had been carting it around with her without noticing came to an abrupt end when she caught sight of her usually so professional friend and colleague just relaxing a little. Andrea's amusement was the complete opposite to Sharon's mortified frown. That was the first and the last time she was ever going to kiss Andy like that in her office, it was also the last time she was ever going to drink that much eggnog at an office party. As Sharon's head found her hands Andrea continued to laugh and rubbed her back, beyond amused at the embarrassment from the usually unflappable Captain Raydor. Andrea took a big gulp of her eggnog before coughing loudly. "Who mixed this?" she asked as she blinked rapidly like it had somehow managed to sting the backs of her eyes.

Gathered at the food table Taylor, Provenza, Andy, Mike, Julio and Buzz grazed on the food like cows in a field, occasionally making polite chit chat but mainly keeping their heads down in a comfortable silence and eating. Using his sole prepared Christmas party conversation starter Taylor turned to Provenza and asked "Lieutenant, any plans for the holidays?"

Provenza shrugged. "Not really. Just getting through them unscathed is the plan." He briefly caught Andy's eye and gave him a quick eye roll as an indication that what he was about to say was probably a mistake but he was going to say it anyway and he may need his assistance shortly. "Patrice thought it would be a good idea to invite Flynn and the Captain over for drinks tomorrow night" he said casually. He was met with quite a large amount of laughter from the rest of the group with the exception of Andy. His eyes scanned them somewhat confused and annoyed. "What?" he asked.

"You're going on a double date? With the Captain and Lieutenant Flynn?" Buzz finally asked as he tried to stop laughing.

"It's not a double date, it's just drinks at Casa Provenza" Provenza stated.

"Are you selling tickets?" Julio asked instantly.

Provenza glared at him while everyone laughed. "Did you have to climb back out of that pool?"

Mike grinned. "I have to ask, is this the first double date you've been on since..."

Provenza closed his eyes. He knew instantly what was coming. No matter what he did in his private or professional life, no matter what he accomplished, the one thing conversation always came back to was the evening he got used by drug smugglers, handled a murder weapon and took Viagra preventing him from standing for nearly two hours. "Don't say it."

"The flight attendants?" Mike continued.

"You said it. Yes. And it's not a double date" Provenza stated once again.

"Although I think we can be pretty sure Sharon and Patrice aren't using us to protect them from drug dealers" Andy said unhelpfully which resulted in more laughter. Andy didn't mind discussing that particular escapade, yes it was embarrassing but he'd done worse (openly coming onto the woman robbing a jewellery store being his most cringe worthy moment) and Provenza came across ten times worse than he did and that was before they stole his car (which took them three hours to find by the way).

"So you admit they were using you?" Julio asked.

Provenza rolled his eyes before his arms flew up in the air in resignation. "Fine! I was wrong! Are you happy now?"

Andy stared at Provenza shocked. "Wow! I've never heard you say those words before."

"I have" Mike was quick to say. "You were still working at Robbery Homicide." Mike's hand vanished into his pocket before he produced his notepad. He immediately flicked to the back page. "On 15th August 2005 Provenza admitted he was wrong about the Dutton butler. Look I wrote it down" he said showing everyone the page he'd been reading from.

"You've kept that pad for 10 years?" Provenza asked as much gobsmacked as he was outraged while Amy walked up behind him unseen.

"No I just write it at the back of each new one so I don't forget."

As everyone laughed Provenza snatched the pad from Mike's hand and ripped the page out. "Give that here."

"What's this?" Amy asked naively. At this point Amy really should have known better than to ask these questions when Provenza and his bulging eyes were involved.

"If you value your badge you'll forget that question" Provenza warned.

Julio was not bothered by such threats and had heard them too many times before without consequence so asked "How long did it take you to stand up Sir?" Andy immediately hid his face behind his hand to disguise how hard he was laughing. At the time Andy did very well not to laugh mainly because he felt a bit stupid himself for the situation they found themselves in but after just over two hours of waiting as he helped Provenza to his feet and discovered him still 'saluting' him he couldn't hold his laughter in any longer.

"The one time! The one time I use one of those pills and the whole world finds out!" Provenza shouted causing Julio to laugh uncontrollably as Rusty joined the group. "Don't snicker at me!" Provenza said pointing at Julio. "Let me tell you there will be a time young man when you step up to the plate and will need some extra help picking up the bat."

Grimaces were shared amongst the group. "Sir! Too much information" Julio said before polishing off his eggnog to help supress any unwanted images.

"You play baseball Lieutenant?" Rusty asked causing another ripple of laughter.

"Not exactly, not exactly" Provenza replied shaking his head.

"Didn't one of them think they were a cow in a previous life?" Buzz asked with a smirk.

"Yes Buzz and thank you for remembering that vital piece of information. What would we do without you?"

Amy looked about the group baffled. "What am I missing here?"

"A few years back these two idiots picked up a couple of flight attendants and went on a double date" Taylor explained as both Andy and Provenza covered their eyes with their hands simultaneously.

"Surprisingly they didn't want them for their bodies. They turned out to be using them for protection from a drug smuggling ring" Mike added with glee.

Rusty's eyes went wide as his jaw dropped. "Really? Does Mom know?" he asked looking at Andy accusingly.

"Of course she knows" Andy confirmed.

Provenza suddenly went red with rage. "You told her that too? Ye Gods Flynn!"

"No! I didn't need to, apparently the whole building knew." The moment the words left Andy's mouth he looked about the group and glared. If everyone in the building knew, they found out from the people standing before him.

Everyone continued to laugh except Amy who looked amazed at what she was hearing. She'd heard stories before but she'd never seen this side to either of her Lieutenants. "That's surprising" she said only to be greeted with confused looks from those who had known them longer and knew better. "What? It's just surprising to me that you would chase after someone like that Lieutenant" she said gesturing at Provenza. "I've just always known you as this cuddly but grumpy Grandfather figure."

"Ha!" Mike blurted out as everyone else laughed attracting Fritz to the group to see what the ruckus was.

"Listen here young lady, I am about as cuddly a Grandfather figure as Mr Beck here. I am still a virile man in the prime of his life" Provenza announced. Again his declaration was greeted with laughter.

"Prime? I'd hate to see you when you're on the turn" Andy said creating more laughter.

"Virile? Even though you don't run anymore" Amy asked.

"Oh he's never run Sykes" Julio was quick to point out.

"How did we even end up talking about this anyway?" Provenza questioned while hoping for it to end just as quickly as it started.

"You started it. You're the one that brought up your double date" Mike confirmed.

The look on Amy's face was pure joy as she all but jumped up and down clapping her hands. "You're going on a double date?"

"No, we're having drinks, there's a difference" Provenza protested once again.

"No there isn't" Buzz said.

Mike smiled. "With Flynn and the Captain."

By now the look on Amy's face suggested this was the best thing she'd ever heard. "Really?"

Provenza rolled his eyes. "Yes! Why is this so shocking? Jeffrey Dahmer faced less questions when they found a head in his refrigerator."

"Do we really need to explain Sir?" Julio asked.

"I am capable of a sophisticated evening of conversation amongst friends you know" Provenza said with exaggerated offense. More laughter filled the group.

"I'm sorry. If I'm honest I'm still in shock you're engaged again" Mike said while he wiped his glasses clean on his tie.

Provenza looked perplexed. "Why?"

"Well not so much that you're engaged again but rather who you're engaged to. She's not exactly your type" Mike explained as he returned his glasses to his face.

"Type? I don't have a type. If I like you I like you. And if I like you you're pretty special because I hate everyone" Provenza said grumpily. Then realisation hit him as he looked about the group accusingly. "Oh I see. I see. The elephant in the room rears its ugly head. Is it because Patrice is African American?"

A collective shaking of heads took place. Everyone's surprise had nothing to do with Patrice's race. "No. More like because Patrice is your own age Sir" Julio was quick to clear up.

"No one saw that coming" Andy added.

Provenza glared at Andy. "Listen here Flynn you've got no right to speak."

"Why?"

"Oh let me see because you're dating the Captain that's why" Provenza stated bluntly.

There was a collective nod of heads as Mike confirmed Provenza's point. "Yep never if I lived to a hundred would I have predicted that one either."

Before Andy had chance to say anything Taylor was quick to add his two cents worth. "Oh good so I'm not alone then because to say I find this whole thing like a work of science fiction is an understatement."

"I told Brenda last week that you were getting married again" Fritz interjected as he looked at Provenza. Instantly at the mere mention of their former Chief's name everyone stood to attention eager to find out more.

Julio smiled manically. "What did she say?"

"She wasn't surprised but she did wonder what your wing man here was going to do without you" Fritz replied pointing at Andy. "So I told her you were also off the market which she found more surprising." Fritz paused as he smiled. "Then I told her you were dating the Captain."

"And?" Andy asked with a tone of annoyance.

Fritz laughed to himself. "She spat the Ding-Dong she was eating at me. It hit me right between the eyes" he added pointing to the spot where the half eaten chocolate sponge had stuck to his forehead.

Andy looked less than impressed as the group laughed, that was everyone except Rusty who looked slightly baffled. "What does that mean? Why is it so strange that my Mom is dating Lieutenant Flynn?" he asked.

"Why? That hated each other that's why" Provenza said bluntly.

"Intense loathing" Mike added.

"It was brutal" Julio confirmed.

"You hated each other?" Rusty looked at Andy a little stunned. It was no understatement to say that when Rusty first met Sharon he hated her but that had nothing to do with Sharon, he hated everyone, except maybe Brenda. It was a case of Rusty versus the world at that time and he hated everyone he came into contact with regardless of who they were. He also vividly remembered discussing with Buzz that he wasn't alone in regard to Sharon and could see that everyone also hated her. And yet he was shocked to learn that Sharon and Andy once had an incredibly rocky relationship. Although they did pretty much keep their hands to themselves in his presence Sharon and Andy were still all over each other all the time. To see them like that on an almost daily basis at the moment but to know they used to loathe each other, shocked Rusty and caused him to worry a little bit. He may not have been on board with their relationship from the beginning but now he did like Andy and he came to realise when he was in the hospital that he would miss him if he wasn't there anymore. Rusty didn't like change but he had been forced repeatedly in his life to adapt to his circumstances. He had adapted to Andy in his life and it had become comfortable. He realised in that moment that deep down he didn't want to lose Andy if his relationship with Sharon were to end. If Sharon and Andy had loathed each other once could it happen again?

"Like two cats trapped in a bag" Buzz joked.

Provenza's finger made its way to his mouth as he exaggerated a good thinking pose. "Now what was it you used to call her?" he said knowing full well but wanting to cause a bit of trouble since he'd been under attack for the last few minutes.

"Provenza! Indubitably!" Andy shouted as he wanted an end to this debate in front of Rusty. Provenza's face dropped instantly as he nodded with their little 'safe word' idea already working and proving beneficial. Provenza quickly pondered just ignoring Andy's coded request but thought better of it since Andy would be arriving at his house the following evening and the last thing he wanted was Andy walking into his living room with an axe to grind and plenty of stories to get him into trouble and sleeping on the couch. "You were no better" Andy was quick to add as he pointed at Provenza accusingly.

"But I'm not dating her now am I?" Provenza said gleefully.

"No but you're going on a double date" Julio replied to wipe the smile off Provenza's face.

Hearing the continued commotion going on by the food table Sharon, Andrea and Gus were quick to finally break off their conversation and join the rest of the group to see what was going on. They joined the circle just in time to hear Provenza shout "It's not a double date, its drinks."

"What's this?" Sharon asked as she settled next to Andy.

"You're going on a double date with Lieutenant Provenza?" Amy asked.

As everyone tried their hardest not to laugh at the idea of Provenza on a double date with his Captain, Sharon took another swig from her eggnog and nodded. "Tomorrow night in fact. I'm sure it'll be lovely" she said as she put her hand on Andy's shoulder.

Andy and Provenza shared a quick worried look. They'd reached the point where they had both over thought the situation and were so worried about saying anything the following night that would get the other into trouble and result in some sort of retribution that it was highly likely they'd spend all of Wednesday night sitting in silence which would only get them into more trouble with their respective partners.

Provenza turned back towards his desk as he quietly mumbled "That's what they said about the maiden voyage on the Titanic."

Andy raised his eyebrows and tried to look as enthusiastic as possible. "Indubitably."