He drummed his fingers on the desk and let out a long sigh. He just wanted to end this and move on; it was time. He checked his watch. Clearly, this felt like a stall technique, and he was getting irritated. He almost felt like he'd been dumped in the room like a suspect was dumped in interrogation, dumped to sit and "sweat it out" so to speak. He thought about walking out; he didn't need to stay. He wasn't the one requesting the meeting, but he certainly seemed to hold the cards right now, or well, he did to some extent. His head turned when he heard the door opening.

"Lieutenant Flynn, thanks for waiting," he looked into the eyes of Gavin, Sharon's attorney. Andy had used him years ago for a civil suit, but since then, he hadn't seen the man at all. Andy looked to Gavin, dressed perfectly as usual, his suit costing more than Andy made in a paycheck, and he watched as he walked into the room. Andy's eyes darted behind Gavin where he saw Sharon coming down the hall as well, also looking extremely professional just coming from work.

"Sharon is on her way," he told him, and Andy gave a nod to the door where Sharon now was in the doorway.

"I'm right behind you, Gavin. I told you I needed to use the restroom first," she said crisply as she walked into the room. Andy's eyes widened again as she started to sit. It had about a week and a half, but she'd definitely gained more weight or at least the baby was showing much more. As she started to sit, he could clearly see the round of her stomach. Her clothing was still able to hide some of it, but it was becoming more and more obvious she was pregnant. He watched as she sat down into her chair and pulled it up to the table. She sat next to Gavin, both across the board room table from Andy. He shifted in his seat and leaned forward, folding his hands on the conference table. He almost felt like he was at a divorce proceeding. It had been years since he'd done that, sat across from Sandra, but oddly, that's what it felt like again today. In some ways, it was similar.

"I don't see why we had to go all lawyer on this," Andy sighed as he gestured with his hand. He'd tried to keep them folded, but this whole meeting seemed unnecessary. He'd emailed Sharon about the paperwork. He'd done it the next morning after he'd run into her at work, after he'd flushed out everything with Provenza. The email had been simple, "I'd like to meet to discuss the terms of the paperwork." That's all he had said, and he'd been surprised with her response the next morning.

"My lawyer, Gavin, and I can meet with you, 7:00, April 8 in his office. Thank you," she'd ended it. There had been no signature, nothing, almost looking like this was a business transaction. He'd replied to her telling her he wanted to talk and didn't feel a lawyer was necessary, but he'd gotten the exact same email reply, the email stating the same thing as the first she'd sent. Clearly, she was sending him a message. She wasn't going to meet and discuss anything without her lawyer.

Sharon pursed her lips as Andy went on about not needing a lawyer. She cleared her throat, but before she could speak, Gavin put his hand on hers and smiled at Andy, "Lieutenant, seems we are here because someone, mainly you, has been a naughty boy," he smirked and threw a glance at Sharon. "Now, I've already gone on my little rant about this with Sharon here, and now, it's your turn. I'm completely floored I must sit here and do this for Sharon. She's one of my dearest friends, and that's why I am doing this. Now, she told me you are ready to sign the paperwork, to sign over your parental rights. We can collect your signature and be done with this. I will get you a copy of the paperwork for your records. Sign, sealed, and delivered," he nodded and glanced again at Sharon, who was also sitting forward, her hands folded on the desk. He made a face and turned back to Andy, "Well, I should say, signed and sealed. There's been no delivery yet, not for Sharon. That will come. I'll deliver the paperwork to you, and your part will be over. Sharon's part, then, continues on her own. Now, shall we begin?"

"Hold on," Andy raised a hand. "I've been trying to talk to you," he gave Sharon a stare, "and you won't talk to me without him," he hooked his hand at Gavin. "I'll sign, but I have a stipulation."

Gavin frowned and glanced at Sharon. She didn't look at him, but she continued to look at Andy, her eyes narrowing. Gavin cleared his throat, "Sharon, I have the paperwork ready," he held up the corner of a packet. "Why don't you two hash out whatever, and then we can continue."

Sharon ignored Gavin and looked right at Andy, "What is your stipulation?"

He rolled his eyes and sighed. She wanted to play hardball with him, and he just wanted to be done with all of this. "Fine, whatever," he raised his hands in surrender and continued, "we can do this here. Gavin, I tried," he gave him a sarcastic smile. "There are two things I want to know, I guess. I wanted to talk."

She interrupted him, "Are you going to sign the paperwork today or not?"

"I will," he narrowed his eyes, "but I have a couple things to discuss first. I believe that isn't asking too much, you know, as the father of your child."

"Only for a few more minutes," she said with a crisp tone.

"One," Andy jumped right into his questions, "I wanted to offer you money."

"I don't need money," she said, again cutting him off before he finished.

Andy gestured to Gavin, "Gavin, I am trying. I'd like to discuss this with your client," he enunciated and waited for a response. He saw Gavin tap her hand. It was quite again, and then Andy nodded to himself to continue.

"I am aware you don't need money. I'm not here suggesting we have some custody arrangement. Look, I know that's not the deal when I terminate my rights, okay? I'm trying to do something to be helpful."

"Helpful is just signing the papers," she sighed. He watched her lean back in her chair, and when she did, her hands instantly went to her stomach where she rested them on each side. Andy followed her hands, and when their gazes met, she started to move them away.

"Don't change your stance on my account," he told her. "I know what we did. I'm aware there's a baby in there. That's another thing I wanted to ask. I wanted to know if you are okay? I realize this isn't easy on you and is a risk to your health. I am responsible for that and just want to see if you are okay."

"I'm fine," she nodded with a hand raised. The hand returned to her stomach.

"Sharon, answer the man honestly," Gavin encouraged. "I'm saying that as your friend. He asked," he nodded to Andy. "You were just complaining to me back in my office before this."

Andy looked between the two as they shared a few glances. Sharon finally sighed and looked back to Andy, "I'm doing okay. My blood pressure is high, and it's not coming down yet. I keep telling my doctor I have a tremendous amount of stress. I'm also gaining a lot of weight, well more than I did with Emily or Ricky. I've gained 16 pounds so far. That's a lot. I only gained 21 total with Emily and 24 with Ricky. I'm concerned about that, and it's making it harder and harder to hide this," she gestured to the baby.

"I'm sorry," Andy gave her a sympathetic nod. "I'm sorry about all of it. I hope your health stabilizes. I don't know what I can do, but if you need anything, let me know. As for the weight," he gestured toward her, "you can't tell. I mean," he sighed, "I know there's a baby there, and yeah, it's becoming more visible, but with the clothing you are wearing, you can't see an extra 16 pounds there. Crazy something that small is doing that much to you. I'm sorry. Baby is like a peanut in there," he sighed.

"Don't call him that," Sharon said quickly.

Andy's head snapped to her, "It's a boy? Peanut is what my ex always called our babies. It just came to me. So, the baby is a boy?"

"No," Sharon shook her head and continued, "I mean, I don't know. I think of him as a boy because my cravings are very similar to Ricky. Emily and Ricky were very different. This is a lot more like Ricky, except for the ridiculous weight gain. Mother's intuition," she shrugged. "Anyway," she cleared her throat, "I don't think I'm going to find out. I don't need to know yet. I can wait and find out when he's born."

"Sure, okay," Andy nodded. "Everything else is checking out okay, though? There's no crazy diseases in my family, but you do need to watch for addictive tendencies. Sorry," he offered a small shrug.

"Hmm," she nodded as she thought, "something all three of my children will share. Now, I've told you I'm fine. Can you sign, please?"

Gavin started to pull out the paperwork, but Andy raised his hand in defense again, "No, I'm serious about the money."

"Lieutenant, once you sign the paperwork, you are legally not responsible for this baby. Sharon will not claim it as yours, and you do not have to pay for anything."

"Look, it's bad enough you and I are okay for me to walk away," Andy offered to Sharon as he met her gaze. "I'm not signing until you take some money."

"I'm not some one-hour girl you are paying for a good time," Sharon snapped. Andy's eyes grew wide at her snapping at him. So far, they'd been able to keep things somewhat civil and professional, but she'd snapped. He found her sitting forward, her work death glare now staring back at him. "I'm able to raise my baby myself. I don't need your money. I don't want you to think you have anything over me or this baby. You don't get to throw a few bucks in to get your time with him later."

"That's what you think?" Andy asked, his voice pitch changing as he was getting irritated. "That's not it at all. I'm trying to do something to help you. I realize we screwed around, and I did that to you. The least I can do is give you some money. You don't want it-fine! You can put it toward his college or whatever. I don't care. Use the money for diapers or childcare. Buy yourself a manicure and massage. I really don't care. I feel responsible-I am responsible, and the least I can do is give you some cash. I don't see you as a high-priced girl or something," he slumped back into his chair and covered his face with his hand.

"You two need to figure this out. Lieutenant, you won't sign until then?" Gavin asked.

"I came here to sign. I never anticipated we'd get into a blow up about some cash. I'll sign if she takes the money. Gavin, I'm also here to pay you for your time. Don't charge her. I'll pay for this," he gestured to the group.

"Gavin doesn't charge me for this," Sharon explained. "He's an old, dear friend. This is done because I asked him to do so. Keep your money for that. For me, I just want you to sign, so sure," she flashed a fake smile, "what are we talking here? I'll take your $100 or so, whatever," she waved a hand and bit her lip as she looked to Gavin.

Gavin looked to Andy and nodded. It seemed Andy had won this round, and he shifted in his seat to pull out an envelope. He cleared his throat as he dug into it, "Thank you. I appreciate you taking the money. Knowing the little I do about you, even I knew you wouldn't take a check. Sure," he shrugged as he pulled out the money, "I knew you might take it, but with a check, I knew you wouldn't cash it. So, I got cash. It's here. It's clean and not from evidence or something," he smirked. "Here it is. You can't argue, and you can't push it back on me. I won't take it, and I definitely won't sign. $10,000, cash," he said slowly as he pushed the envelope across the table toward Sharon. He noted both Gavin's and Sharon's eyes grew wide as he slid it toward them. Sharon started to shake her head.

"No, no, I'm not taking that. I certainly don't need $10,000, not from you. You made it sound like it was a few hundred dollars, max, but $10,000?" she questioned. "Where did you even get all of that?"

"Savings," Andy said in his short tone. "I'm say this qualifies as an emergency expense. To clarify, I didn't suggest it was a few hundred dollars. I just said I had money for you. I'm a professional. It took me years to dig out of my divorce, but I did. I bought a house, and I've been doing fine. My kids are out of college and on their own, so I don't have big payments to them anymore. I drive an old car, and I really don't care about much else. I have a decent amount in savings. You will be taking the $10,000 to do whatever you want. I'll sign when you accept that."

The money sat in an envelope on the table. The three stared at it. Finally, Gavin looked to Andy, "Lieutenant, what are your expectations? I mean, what would you like in return for the cash? You can't buy a child or any sort of arrangement with cash. That's against the law, and you know that."

"Nothing," Andy said, staring right at Sharon. "I don't want anything. That's for her, for the kid. Buy him whatever he needs. I will feel better about things if you take the money."

"Hmm," she hummed and nodded. "You'll feel better that I'm here pregnant with a child we created if you give me money?"

Andy shrugged, "Hey, this is what you want, a clean break. We don't want to be in each other's lives, and that's fine. Yeah, I will feel better if I leave you at least with some starter money for the baby. You never have to tell him it's from me. You never have to utter anything about me, but use it as you need it. Private school is expensive, and you strike me as the private school type."

"Catholic," she replied quickly. "I'm Catholic, and he will go to a Catholic school as my other two did."

"Great," Andy shrugged. "No argument here. I'm Catholic too. At least we agree on something. There's more reason to keep the money-just give it back to the Catholic Church. Take it, and I'll sign."

Sharon glanced at Gavin. He raised an eyebrow at her and gave a small shrug. Sharon turned her attention back to Andy, and she ran her hands over her stomach. Andy sat there, his hands folded on the table again, just waiting.

"Fine," she said quietly and nodded to Gavin before looking down toward her stomach, "I'll take your money. I'd like you to sign, please."

Andy nodded, and Gavin passed him the paperwork, along with a pen. He stood up to walk around toward Andy, "Lieutenant, there spots you need to sign are marked."

"Yeah, yeah," Andy waved at him. "I've looked over all this plenty. She gave it to me a couple weeks ago now. Believe me, I've read and re-read it." Gavin nodded and stood back to give Andy some space. He folded his arms, and Andy took the pen to sign. He looked to Sharon again, "Tell me did you get rid of the dirt bag?"

Sharon eyed him, wondering what he was asking.

"I mean, did your husband sign your divorce papers? You told me you wanted a clean break from both of us, so are you getting it? My kid isn't going to be raised by some dirt bag of your husband, is he?"

"He's my baby," Sharon said crisply again. She lowered her gaze and shook her head. She sighed, "It's going to be official. I will be on my own, as I want."

Andy nodded and started to sign again. He met her gaze, "If you need more money, let me know."

"Lieutenant, I suggested she go after it all, child support, everything, if we are being honest. This termination was not my idea. My idea, and no offense, because we have worked together before, but my suggestion was to take you to the cleaner as far as child support and other support for the baby. Sharon," he hooked his hand at her, where she sat now, staring at the men, her arms folded in a protective stance over the baby, "didn't want that at all. I'm honestly surprised she's taking your money. She wants all ties cut. You, my friend," he nodded to Andy, "are getting the deal of a lifetime here from a woman who is cutthroat when making deals."

Andy nodded and glanced over the paperwork. He again looked to Sharon and found her staring at him, with almost terror in her eyes he'd back out of this deal. He could see it. The woman who didn't flinch when she was handing out punishments to fellow officers looked terrified, and for the first time, he saw her as a mother wanting to protect her child. It was sad in a way, that she saw him as a threat because he didn't want anything to do with the baby-or Sharon for that matter. Without another word, he picked up the pen, signed his name where indicated, and then he put the pen down, closed the folder, and he glanced up at Gavin. "Done," he nodded.

"Thank you," Sharon said in an almost whisper. She stood, and Andy turned to watch her as she did. He couldn't take his eyes off her stomach. He'd stared at it each time he'd seen her the last two weeks, since he'd found out she was carrying his child. His. The baby wasn't his, not anymore, and as he watched her stand, he continued to stare. It was hard not to stare. She was wearing black slacks, a dark purple shirt, and a blazer over it. The blazer was getting too tight, not that he would tell her, but it was, as was the shirt. The shirt did her stomach no favors. He could see that baby growing, and she wouldn't be able to hide it much longer. He looked up at her, and he caught her looking at him. She turned. She gave a quick glance to Gavin, and then she turned to the door. Andy watched her open it and walk down the hall, her heels clicking as she hit the marble flooring in the lobby area. He let out a long sigh and put his head against the back of his chair. Gavin was still shuffling through the paperwork.

"Lieutenant, thank you for this. She will relax now, and I'm hoping that will help her blood pressure," he told him as he read through the documents. "I'm not sure what to say. I don't know if that was easy or not."

Andy stood and turned to Gavin, "It wasn't that hard because I gave her what she wanted. I'm trying to keep emotion out of this. It is what it is. We aren't an item. We slept together a few times for a good time. That was it. She wants the baby. I get that. I would have paid child support, but I've never been a good dad. I've only done what I've been told. I tried with my kids, but they aren't interested. This," he gestured to the room, "I never wanted another kid. I'm sorry she's in this mess, but this, the whole termination of my rights is what she wants. I'd step up if she wanted that. The money is the least I can do. I mean, I know like you said, legally I don't have to do anything, but I helped create the kid, so it's the least I can do."

Gavin nodded, "I'm not a parent and never plan to be one. I love Sharon's kids, always have, and I will love this one. Lieutenant, I know you a decent guy. Sharon is very independent, always has been. You know a baby wasn't in her plans, but she's always been a wonderful mother. She will be to this one too. Whatever arrangement hook-up scheduled you had, I assure you is over. She's told me that much."

Andy raised his hand, "It was just a week, one week we spent sleeping together, mostly on the road for work. We had our fun. I'm just sorry it's come to this. She doesn't want anything, which is," he shook his head and continued, "she's not like any woman I've EVER met."

"No," Gavin frowned, "she's not. She's wonderful and amazing. She's one of my closest friends. She will be okay. That was a very decent thing you did, giving her that money. I know she won't admit it, but it stunned her. Thank you for being decent, Lieutenant. When she came to me and told me everything, I at least knew she'd been with a decent guy, even with your temper at work. Honestly," he flashed a smirk, "I told her she'd have a handsome little guy too. She did at least have good taste sleeping with you, Lieutenant. Now," he paused, "you are free to go. You are free to walk out of here and even pick up the next woman on the street. You have no legal ties to this baby anymore. I will send you the paperwork for your files. I realize this is a bit awkward because you see her on a regular basis at work, but I assure you, she only plans to move forward alone. Consider this a finalized transaction because that's what she told me to tell you. Your business is done, and she would like to get back to whatever normal the two of you had at work before this. Lieutenant, thank you again for considering what Sharon wanted," Gavin said and stuck out his hand. Andy shook it and nodded to him.

"Thanks, Gavin. I appreciate you making this a painless process. It's been a long couple weeks, and now, we can all move on."

Gavin nodded as the two walked to the door, "Imagine how she feels, Lieutenant-she's been dealing with this for four months now, and it's her new reality, life as a single mom once again."