"So, that wasn't too painful," Andy joked as the two left the mall and headed to his car. They had bid all the kids good-bye and were now both exhausted and ready to get out of the crazy rush of shoppers.

"No, not too bad, but I've also been here now most of the day," she rolled her eyes. "I love to shop, believe me, but I'm getting old. After a couple hours, I'm done," Sharon smiled as she admitted that. Andy took Emily's dress and laid it out neatly in the trunk of his car before opening Sharon's door for her.

"Say, since it is dinnertime, could I interest you in dinner? I believe you told me you spend many nights eating alone just like I do," he offered.

Sharon turned to him, trying to not look completely shocked, "You mean, like a date?" she asked horrified.

"Just dinner," Andy shrugged. "We both have to eat."

Sharon shook her head, "Really, I'm fine. You can just drop me off at home. Thank you, though, Andy," she offered.

He thought for a moment before proceeding, "Sharon, come on. What are you going to do? Go home and make some popcorn or something for dinner? Eat more of the brownies? Go to dinner with me. I know of a great out of the way place that won't be busy. I promise. I know I'm hungry, and even if you won't admit it, I know you are too."

Sharon gave him a look of slight irritation, "I'm paying," she told him, "no arguments."

"Okay," he grinned, raising his hands. "Works for me. I get the company of a lovely lady for dinner."

"I wasn't going to have popcorn and a brownie," she huffed.

Andy shrugged, "I might have if I'd been at my house," he chuckled.

"Well, I would have put ice cream on the brownie too" she turned and shyly smiled at Andy. He caught onto her joke and burst out laughing.

"Captain Raydor, was that a joke and smile coming from you?" he teased.

"Perhaps," Sharon shrugged, "don't get used to it. Now, where is this restaurant?"

"In LA," Andy offered, enjoying the banter he was having with Sharon.

Sharon rolled her eyes, "Gee, thank goodness for that. I was worried you'd whisk me off to Mexico or something."

"Are you offering? I could use a vacation?" he winked at her, and she chuckled before growing silent again as she looked out the window.

"Can you at least tell me the type of food?" she asked a couple minutes later as they sat at a stoplight.

"Italian," he stated.

"I like Italian," she smiled.

"I'm Italian," he grinned and winked at her. She scoffed at him before turning back to look out the window.

"Here we are," he smiled as they pulled into the restaurant.

"Wow, great view," she said as they got out. "This place has a prime spot in LA, up here on the cliffs overlooking the ocean. Looks like it has been here for years," she stated.

"It has," he nodded. "It's been here over 50 years now, a local gem. I love it because really only locals, and I mean, really local to this immediate area, seem to know about it. Come on," he extended his arm, allowing her to go first. "Plus, it's nice and casual, perfect for today."

Sharon was shocked by the interior; the outside looked a little run down, but the inside was very clean and modern looking, yet with a cozy feel. It was hard to describe, but she knew she hadn't been to any restaurant like this one.

"Ahh, Lieutenant," a middle-aged man greeted him, "You brought a friend tonight?"

"Colleague," Andy nodded, turning to Sharon, "Marco, this is Captain Sharon Raydor. Sharon, this is Marco, the owner's son."

"Nice to meet you," Sharon smiled, "I guess he must eat here often if you know him?"

"At least a couple time a month for the last what, 10 years or longer, correct?" Marco looked to Andy.

"Yeah, I guess that long now," he chuckled.

"Well, you can have your favorite table. As you see, we aren't busy yet," Marco explained.

"Thanks, Marco," Andy nodded and looked to Sharon, "Follow me," he winked, and Sharon's eyes grew wide as she watched Andy move effortlessly through the restaurant to his favorite table.

"This really is a neat place," Sharon stated, as she looked around. Andy helped her sit, which also surprised her. She offered a thanks to him as then he sat down too.

"Yeah, I discovered it one day, gosh, years ago when I was just out for a drive. I was trying to clear my head and not drink," he shook his head. "It worked that day. It was a bad case. Anyway, I ended up here, had a great meal, and I spent a couple hours talking to Marco. Now, here we are," Andy smiled.

"Well, I like it, and I'm guessing the food is good too?" she inquired.

"The best," Andy grinned, "As an Italian myself, I wouldn't eat here if it wasn't good. I think tonight I'm just craving the spaghetti. It had been quite awhile since I'd had spaghetti until you made it at your house. Sounds good again," he said.

"Oh, everything sounds divine," Sharon said as she studied the menu, pursing her lips, "Spinach ravioli. That sounds delicious tonight."

"It is good," Andy nodded, "one of my favorites."

Once the two ordered, they found themselves in an awkward silence again. Sharon spoke up first, "So, tell me, what else do you enjoy doing when you are not working, besides shop at the mall?" she grinned.

He nodded as he let out a quick chuckle, "Well, my passion is baseball. I love the Dodgers, but you knew that. At home, I really like fixing things and home improvement projects. When I bought my house, it needed a facelift in pretty much every room. I've worked through most of that. I also like to garden and cook. Sometimes, the cooking gets pushed to the side because I have little energy to cook for myself. I get the kids to come over a few times a year, and then there's Provenza," he rolled his eyes. "Guy can't cook for anything, so when he's hungry, he shows up at my place, and I cook."

Sharon laughed at that, "I can imagine him just walking into your house."

"He does!" Andy exclaimed with a bright face. "That's exactly what he does. Now, what about you?"

Sharon shrugged, "Not much, really," she bit her lip thinking. "I guess I spend most of my time right now between work, baseball games, and ballet recitals. I really like cultural events, like plays, the ballet, art galleries, but I don't go much. Sports are high up there too, and Ricky really enjoys going with me. Emily, not so much," she smiled. "I love to read and see movies too, but my taste is quite different from that of my teenagers."

Andy nodded, "Ahh, yes, I do know what you mean. The comedies they enjoy these days, well, I just don't see the humor. I'm more of a mystery kind of guy."

Sharon agreed, "Yes, but as detectives I guess that isn't a surprise."

Their dinners arrived, and the two took a few minutes to enjoy their food before continuing their conversation, "So, you come here often?" Sharon said as somewhat of a question.

Andy nodded as he shrugged again, "Yeah, great food, and it's not a big deal to eat alone. Marco usually stops by the table, so I have someone to talk to for a few minutes."

"Huh," Sharon nodded, "I would have figured this for your favorite date spot," she teased. "Come on, Lieutenant."

He frowned at her, "Besides the kids, I've only brought you and Provenza here. Sharon, I've told you that I like you very much. I'm not interested in seeing other women or bringing them here."

Sharon closed her eyes and looked down to her food, "Why do you have to ruin a moment?"

"What?" Andy gestured with his hands, "I told you that I'm going to be direct with you. That's how I feel. I was enjoying dinner, and you asked me a question. I answered it, truthfully."

"Well, I'm not looking for that," Sharon said quietly and put her fork down. Suddenly, she wasn't hungry.

Andy continued to eat, noting Sharon had stopped, "I'm going to use the restroom; I'll be right back," he nodded to her, as he stood. Truthfully, he realized Sharon needed a minute to regroup, so he was going to give it to her.

Sharon closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Once she had composed herself, she realized she was still hungry and began to eat again. The restaurant was lovely, and it wasn't busy, as Andy had promised. He returned a few moments later, "Thank you for bringing me here," Sharon gave a weak smile. "It is a very good restaurant."

He nodded, "You're welcome. I'd prefer to come here any day over the fancy places downtown. I'm much more of a relaxed kind of guy."

"I don't know about you, but I'm stuffed, and I'm really getting tired. All that shopping today has worn me out," Sharon stated.

"We can get going, then," he told her. "Ready?"

Sharon looked up with a confused look, "I need to pay. I told you I was paying."

Andy pretended to be confused, "Oh, was that this dinner? It's already been paid," he nodded. "Yeah, took care of that when I used the restroom. Helps to be friends with the manager."

Sharon's jaw dropped, "You promised!"

"I said it works for me, and you never specified which dinner or dinner at all. You just said you were paying. That could have been a parking garage or anything," he shrugged.

Sharon sat back, irritated and crossed her arms. Andy sighed, rolled his eyes, and stood, moving toward Sharon's chair, "Come on," he motioned for her to get up. "Get your stubborn self up and moving," he motioned, "and accept a nice meal. Besides, I couldn't have my son upstage me tonight and be the only guy to pay for a Raydor woman's dinner."

Sharon huffed as she got up from the table. Andy held her chair, to which she mumbled thanks. After he waved to Marco, they stepped outside, and he helped her into the car. It wasn't until they were back on the road before Sharon spoke again, "Thank you for dinner, but that wasn't necessary. I'm capable of paying."

"I know that," Andy explained. "That was in no way to undermine you as a person, a woman, or even undermine your authority. That was just me trying to do something kind."

She nodded, "Well, thank you."

"You're welcome," he replied.

"Can I let you in on a secret?" he grinned, as he turned to her. She was still scowling, but he wasn't going to let her mood dictate his evening. "So, I told Nathan to take Emily there for prom. I know it's not the upscale places downtown, but those places will be covered over. Anyway, I don't know if he'll take her, but I suggested it."

"She'd like it," Sharon offered, "but, right now, she seems to like anywhere she goes with Nathan."

"Wish I could say the same for you," Andy mumbled, as they got closer to Sharon's street. Andy pulled into her driveway, and Sharon suddenly couldn't wait to get out of the car.

"Well, thank you for bringing me home and dinner," Sharon offered to him, trying not to meet his gaze. "I had a much better meal there than I would have had at home."

"Me too," he smiled, "much, much better company too. If you ever want to go back there, I'm your guy," he grinned.

Sharon nodded, "Well, thanks again," as she opened the car door. "Hopefully, neither of us get called in tomorrow. Enjoy your weekend."

"You too, Sharon," Andy smiled. "Really great to spend some time with you."

Sharon nodded as she closed the door and walked to the house. She opened her door and turned to see Andy waiting for her to get inside. She offered a slight wave, and then she moved into her house. For the second time in a week, she'd had dinner with Andy Flynn, and neither of them had screamed at each other.