" Sharon, thank God " he said in relief.
Her eyes got wide and she started to panic a little. He put his hand on her arm to calm her down. " Shh, Sharon calm down, it's ok. I'm gonna go get the doctor ok, I'll be right back " he said reassuringly.
It was lucky for him that at the time Doctort Mason was walking by making her rounds. " Doctor, Doctor Mason " he called out panting.
" Lieutenant, what can I do for you ?" asked Doctor Mason.
" It's Sharon, she's awake " he said.
The doctor quickly followed Andy into Sharons' room. She could tell that Sharon was freaking out a little. " Sharon, I'm Doctor Mason. I'm going to take the breathing tube out now, okay " she said. " I'm going to count to three and I want you to exhale for me okay " said Doctor Mason.
Sharon nodded as best she could.
" Alright, ready, 1, 2, 3 " she counted and then slowly pulled the tube out.
Sharon started coughing.
" Hey, hey, shh, It's okay " said Andy. " I'll get you some water, just breath " he said. He hurriedly brought her back some water. He held the cup up to her lips, and she slowly sipped it.
She started to gradually stop coughing and calmed down. " Thank you " she managed to say in a hoarse whisper.
" My pleasure " said Andy, smiling down at her.
" Alright now, why don't we check and make sure that everything's in good shape " said the doctor. She pulled out a small light and began to check for any underlying brain damage sustained when Sharon hit the ground. " Now Sharon, follow the light for me " Doctor Mason instructed. She shined the light in one eye, and then the other. " Alright everything seems alright on that front " said the doctor.
Doctor Mason began checking Sharons' vitals. " Well the good news is that your awake and your heart rate is normal; The bad news is that your injury is very severe and you are going to be very sore for a while, and the recovery process is going to be a long and hard one " said the doctor. " It seems to me though, that you have plenty of support " she said, looking over at Andy who was smiling at Sharon and holding her hand.
" You bet she does " Andy said to the doctor.
" Well I'll leave you to talk, I'll check back a little later " said Doctor Mason.
" Thanks Doc " said Andy.
She smiled at him and made her way out of the room.
He turned back to Sharon. " Hey " he said.
" Hey " she said hoarsely.
" Welcome back " he said.
" How long was I out ?" asked Sharon.
" Quite a while " Andy replied. He paused for a second. " I was scared we were gonna lose you there for a while " he said with a hitch prevalant in his voice, as he was trying not to get emotional right now.
" It takes a lot more than a psycho with a gun to keep me down " she said laughing. She clutched at her stomach and grimaced in pain.
" You okay? " he asked worriedly.
" Yeah, just kind of over did it there" she said.
" You sure?" asked Andy.
" Yes, Andy I'm sure " she said.
" Okay " he said.
" So when do you think they'll let me leave here? "Sharon asked.
" Woah, slow your role Captain, one step at a time " he said.
" Yeah " she sighed.
" You'll be home soon enough, don't you worry " he said.
" I know that, it's just I've always hated hospitals, they're so depressing " said Sharon.
" I won't argue with you there " he said.
" So..." she said.
" So... " he said.
" Who was it? " she asked.
" Who was who ? " asked Andy.
" Who is responsible for nearly killing me? " asked Sharon.
" Oh, his name is Michael Phelps " said Andy.
" The name doesn't ring a bell " said Sharon.
" It didn't to us either, but you do know the man who used to be his lawyer " said Andy.
" Who ? " asked Sharon.
" Phillip Stroh " said Andy
Sharon's eyes widened. " Wait are you telling me that Phillip Stroh is back and that he hired this Phelps guy to kill me ? " she inquired.
" Yes, he did " said Andy.
The first thing that came to her mind was Rusty. " Andy, he didn't go after Rusty, did he? " she asked.
He pondered whether he should tell her the truth ot not, because she didn't need any unnecessary stress thrust upon her.
" Andy " she said worriedly, wanting for an answer.
" Now listen to me, I don't want you to freak out. In your condition you need to stay calm. " he started. " Phelps intended to kill Brenda Johson and Rusty " he said.
" Oh my God, are they okay Andy, please tell me they're okay " she pleaded.
" Yes, they're fine. Brenda took a bullet in the shoulder, and Rusty is alright, physically that is. Emotionally he's a wreck, we all have been " he finished.
" I need to see him " said Sharon.
" I'll call the kids, and have them come by a little later " he said.
" Andy I want to see them now " she said.
" Sharon, you need to rest if you're ever gonna recover " said Andy.
" Andy I've been out of it for days now, so that's pretty much all that I've been doing. I need to see my kids " she said.
" Alright, I understand " he said. " I'm gonna call them right now " he said.
" Thank you " she said rubbing her thumb over his hand.
Andy dialed the number.
" Hello " Emily answered.
" Emily " said Andy.
" Lieutenant, what is it, did something happen ? " asked Emily fearing the worst.
" Yes Emily, something did happen, a miracle " he replied.
" What do you mean? " asked Emily.
" Your mom's awake " said Andy.
There was silence on the other end of the line. Then he could hear soft sobbing.
Rusty and Ricky walked into the room, saw Emily crying and immediately feared the worst.
" Em, is she...? " Ricky asked.
" No, no, these are happy tears. Mom's awake " she said smiling.
" What, are you serious? " asked Rusty.
" Yeah little bro " said Emily.
They all brought it in for a group hug.
" Emily? " Andy inquired.
" Yes,sorry Lieutenant, I'm still here " she said.
" Your mom is asking for you " he said. She handed the phone to Rusty.
" Can I talk to her? " asked Rusty.
" Sure kid " said Andy.
" It's Rusty " he told Sharon, handing her the phone.
" Rusty " she said.
" Mom " he said in a sort of whisper.
She could tell that he was trying not to get emotional. " Hey, Rusty, are you ok? " she asked.
" Yes, well no, I mean I am now that you're ok " he said. " But mom, how can you ask me if I'm ok, when you're the one that almost died? " he asked concerned.
" Because a parents work is never done, it's my job to look after you. And when did you start calling me mom ? " she asked jesting.
" I don't know, I guess i was just upset and it was a reflex, I can stop if it's weird though " he said.
" Not at all Rusty, I actually quite like it " said Sharon.
" Ok, cool " said Rusty.
" I gotta go, Emily and Ricky are getting impatient " said Rusty.
" Ok, I love you Rusty " she said.
" Love you too mom, I'll see you in a little while " he said.
Andy took the phone back.
" Lieutenant, Thanks, I appreciate you looking after her " said Rusty.
" No need, where else would I be " said Andy.
" We'll see you when you get here,bye " said Andy as he hung up the phone.
Andy looked back at Sharon. " Sharon, hey, why are you crying? " he asked concerned. He took her hand in his again.
" Rusty, he... he called me mom " she said sniffling.
" I know " he said smiling. He wiped a tear away with his finger." The kid's come a long way, you both have " he said.
" Yes we have " said Sharon.
" You should rest until the kids get here, I don't want you over doing it " said Andy.
Sharon nodded. " I'll try " she said.
" Good " he said.
" Andy " she started.
" Yes Sharon? " he inquired.
" Nevermind " she said, deciding that now was not the right time to say what she was going to say.
" Ok, I'll be sitting right here in case you need me, just rest now " he said.
Sharon closed her eyes and tried to relax.
Andy watched the rise and fall of her chest with every breath she took. He had only now just gotten her back and wanted to be sure that she didn't slip away again.
About 45 minutes later Rusty, Emily, and Ricky arrived at the hospital. When they got to the room, they found both Andy and Sharon asleep.
" Should we wake them? " asked Emily.
" I'd hate to, they look so peaceful " said Ricky.
" They can hear you " said Sharon starting to stir.
" Hey mom " said Emily.
" Hi Em " said Sharon.
Emily walked over and kissed her on the cheek. She started to tear up.
" Sweetheart, shh, it's okay, I'm okay " she said putting a hand on Emily's arm.
Emily nodded and wiped the tears from her eyes.
Ricky kissed his mothers' cheek. " I was really worried mom " said Ricky, his voice quivering.
Sharon placed a hand on Rickys' cheek. " I know son, but I'm going to be ok " said Sharon, trying to be encouraging.
Andy started to stir from all the commotion. " Hey guys " he greeted them. " Why don't I step out and give you guys some privacy " he said.
" That's okay Lieutenant, your more than welcome to stay " said Emily.
" Thanks, but I need to make a phone call anyway " he said before stepping out into the hallway.
All eyes turned to Rusty who was still standing across the room.
" Rusty, sweetheart, are you okay? " asked Sharon.
" Yeah Mom, I just... I dont wanna hurt you, that's all " said Rusty.
" Oh, Rusty honey, you're not gonna hurt me " she said, feeling for him.
" Are you sure? " he asked.
" Yes sweetie " she said. She patted the bed for him to come and sit.
He slowly mad his way over to her and carefully sat down on the bed beside her.
She took his hand in hers and ran her thumb across it. " See, I'm fine " said Sharon.
Rusty burst into tears, wrapped his arms around her neck, and buried his head in her shoulder.
" Oh, Rusty, please don't cry " said Sharon.
" I'm sorry, but I missed you so much, I...I thought I'd lost you forever " he said through the tears.
" You could never lose me Rusty, I'll always be with you, no matter what, okay " said Sharon.
" Okay " he sobbed and sat upright.
" I hope you've all been taking good care of each other " said Sharon.
" We always do mom " said Ricky.
" Yeah, and speaking of taking good care of, what's up with you and Lieutenant Flynn? " asked Emily, trying to lighten the mood.
" What do you mean Em? " inquired Sharon.
" Mom, I mean come on, it's so obvious " said Emily.
" What is? " asked Sharon.
" He likes you " said Emily.
" Well of course he does, we've become very close friends " said Sharon.
" No mom, I mean he really like likes you " said Emily.
" Emily, sweetheart, don't be ridiculous. Andy and I are just good friends " said Sharon.
" Well I think that he wants to be more than just your friend mom " said Emily smiling.
" Emily Shannon Raydor " she exclaimed.
" Mom, the man literally did not leave your side the whole time, since you were shot " said Emily.
" It's true mom, he was a wreck, he barely ate, or slept " said Rusty. " Nicole had to make him leave " he finished.
" I didn't realize " said Sharon.
" Mom, he really cares about you. I think that there's something there that maybe neither of you are ready to admit " said Emily.
Sharon thought to herself for a moment that maybe Emily was right." I'm sorry to rush you kids off,but I'm getting pretty tired. We'll talk more tomorrow " said Sharon.
" Alright, just remember what I said Mom, love you " said Emily.
" I love you too Em " she said. She exchanged I love yous and goodbyes with her sons as well.
Emily, Rusty, and Ricky all made there way out of the room.
Andy Flynn like likes me' she thought to herself. Could it be possible, I mean after all they had gotten pretty close over the past couple of years. She was left with only her thoughts and Emilys' words running through her brain, as she drifted back off to sleep.