Going back to work was a great relief for Sharon. She was still in pain since the doctor had reduced her pain meds and she started feeling some withdrawal symptoms, but in general, she didn't feel there was a need for her to stay on sick leave. Most of her clothes were still in her apartment, although she was able to get some clothes for her and for Rusty. She checked herself in the mirror. The clothes she was wearing were not her usual attire, but it was suitable enough. She knew that she couldn't move her entire closet to Flynn's house and therefore only took clothes that could fit both work and home.
"Captain, you lost weight." Sykes declared as Sharon walked through the doors of the Major Crimes office. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm glad to be here. It could have been a lot worse." Sharon replied.
"Could I get you a cup of coffee, maybe?" Sykes' voice was enthusiastic.
"No, Amy. There's no need. I'm good." Sharon smiled. "Where is everyone?"
"They went to a crime scene." Sykes answered.
"And you were left behind because…" Sharon said.
"You haven't heard?" Sykes asked.
"Heard what?"
"I'm not cleared for field work. FID is investigating me because I discharged my weapon on a civilian. They took my weapon and I can only do office work." Sykes explained.
"One of my detectives is under FID investigation and nobody told me about it?" Sharon's voice was high pitched. "Who's in charge of the investigation?"
"Captain Walker." Sykes said.
"I know her." Sharon declared. "How long has it been?"
"Twenty four hours." Sykes said and started explaining what had happened.
"Okay," Sharon sighed when she heard Sykes description of events. "It seems like you've done everything right. FID should exonerate you of all charges. Please be cooperative and they will be taking note of that. I'll give Captain Walker a call and see what I can do."
Sharon was furious, but she held back her anger as she entered Assistant Chief Taylor's office. He was on the phone and motioned her to sit down. She used the time that it took him to finish his phone call to think about what she wanted to say.
"Captain Raydor," Taylor said. "It's good to see you back. How are you feeling?"
"I am well, thank you, sir." she replied.
"I understand that you are interested in a report of the events that happened in your division while you were on sick leave." he said, his voice sleek.
"Not exactly," Sharon said. "I'd like to know if during my sick leave you have ordered Lieutenant Flynn not to provide me with information about the cases investigated by the division and about the events that happened during my leave."
"I have never issued such order, Captain. Is there a problem I should know of?"
"No, sir. I think I will be able to handle it on my own." she sighed inwardly.
"Good." Taylor said, "Anything else?" Sharon shook her head and thanked him. She knew the entire time that Flynn lied about Taylor asking the members of the division not to provide her with information about the cases investigated by them during her leave, but now that Taylor confirmed that it was a lie, she felt her insides burning with rage. She will need to talk to Lieutenant Flynn as soon as he returned to the office. She decided to use the wait time to contact Captain Walker of the FID.
The members of the squad were surprised to find out that their Captain was back. Even Andy seemed shocked to see her back in the office. After they welcomed her and she answered their burning questions about the fire and calmed their aching curiosity about her physical condition, she ordered them back to work.
"Except for you, Lieutenant Flynn," she said. "May I see you in my office?" Unwillingly he followed her into her office. She closed the door and the blinds. "Have a seat, Lieutenant." she said.
"Oh, we're using ranks now?" The sarcasm in Andy's voice grated on her ears.
"Yes, Lieutenant. We are." she said in her usual monotonous indifferent tone.
"How can I help you, Captain?"
"I can't even begin to describe how furious I am at your conduct, Lieutenant Flynn." she said.
"Honestly, I have no idea what you're talking about." Andy shrugged.
"Why did you not notify me that Detective Sykes is being investigated by FID?" she asked, trying to sneak the right amount of anger and coldness into her voice. "I had to find that out from Sykes when I came in."
"For the same reason you did not notify me that you are seeing another man." Andy asked. "I had to find that out from Rusty when I came from work last night."
"You would sacrifice the work-security of your colleague because of your masculine ego?" Raydor now unleashed her rage. If there was one thing she couldn't stand, it was a colleague backstabbing another.
"You were on a sick leave. I was not obligated to tell you what had happened at work. If it was something Sykes couldn't deal with, I'm sure that she would have contacted you."
"I disagree. You know that she is new to the squad and being under an FID investigation at such an early stage of her career…"
"That's bullshit." Andy barked at her, "The reason you are angry that I haven't told you about this is your frantic need for control."
"Excuse me?" Sharon's face became flushed in an instant.
"With all due respect, you can't take it when you don't have control over something. It's insane! And it's what makes you push people away, and the reason that everyone in your life..."
"Lieutenant!" Her voice came out of her mouth in a painful yank. She could feel it in her sore lungs and in her throat. "If I were you, I would close my mouth this instant." Her hands were shaking and she shoved them into the pockets of her jacket.
"I held you at a higher standard, Captain." Andy said and stormed out of her office, slamming the door behind him. Sharon stared at the door for a long time before she was able to restrain her trembling.