Happy New Year to everyone! I hope you all have a wonderful year. -This isn't a New Year Chapter. They will be up next.- Enjoy!
(Oh this chapter is rated M, for precaution on a little smut.)
"That was a great dinner, thank you." Andy kisses Sharon softly. She holds on to his neck, pulling him to bed with her. Her legs wrapping behind him. "You think you can be quiet enough." His voice teasing. She lets him go and sits up. "Sharon, I was joking." He can see her embarrassment he sits up with her. "I'm not going to force you to continue, but listen to me." He moves on top of her. "Your noises turn me on," he nibbles in her neck making her whimper, "they are sexy hot." She giggles. "I was teasing you." He bites her bottom lip. Then his hands travel under her night gown moving up to her breast immediately receiving a moan from her.
"Andy, slow down." She pants.
"I skipped desert." He groans, she laughs. "Oh. I'll be right back." He kisses her and gets out of bed.
"Andy!" She calls irritated.
He makes a quick departure to the kitchen, a sweet dressing sauce in mind but halts at the end of the hall. He finds Ricky sitting on the floor of the living room flipping through pictures. He returns to the bedroom.
"Where did you go?" Sharon says getting out of bed.
"I didn't complete my mission." She looks at him confused. "Your son is sitting out in the living room." She stops and looks worried now. "You should go." She nods wrapping the silk robe around her she comes around and kisses him and leaves Andy worse than before.
"Honey." She whispers as she enter the living room.
"Hey Mom." Ricky looks sleepless and exhausted.
"You alright?" She sits beside him on the floor.
"I'm sitting here trying to remember a dinner with Dad." Sharon frowns. "Any dinner, a good memory." He looks at her holding a picture of himself and Sharon in front of him.
"You were young that's why you can't come up with any." She picks up some pictures of her own, smiling at some.
"I remember him drunk," her smile disappears, "you bailing him out of jail. You never cried, or yelled. You were like a superhero to me." She smiles again.
"Well I didn't in front of you, but I did." She sets the pictures down. "I'm sorry I put you guys through that." Her voice sincere.
"No, that's not your problem." He finally looks up at her. "I had this wonderful Christmas Eve day, doing well nothing but spending time with people I just met and can't remember having a day like that with Dad." Sharon feels a heaviness inside one she has carried her entire life.
She pulls the pictures up again and smiles. "I have one for you." Ricky looks at her waiting to meet her gaze. "You were seven and you had fallen off a playground at the park." Ricky smiles.
"And you were working and I kept calling for you, but Dad told me he couldn't reach you." He says quickly.
"He never called me. Was afraid how I'd react." Ricky laugh out a short laugh.
"He took me for ice cream. It was me and him all day." Sharon can see her young boy coming back to her.
"Sometimes we think about the negative more than the positive." She grabs her son's hand. "Your life Ricky was not easy and I'm not excusing your father's behaviors. But as much as he was absent, I know he loves you."
"Did you love him?" Sharon struggles but doesn't take long to answer.
"I did." Her words soft.
"Do you love Andy?" She smiles.
"Yeah, I do." She meets his gaze. "It's strange, I love your father."
"But you never loved him like you do Andy." Ricky says for her easily, she nods. "Can you help me understand this accident Andy had?
Sharon lets out a heavy breath. "Ice cream?" He nods, she returns with two spoons and the cartoon of ice cream. She sits and explains everything from the moment Andy found Jack kissing her to the accident to the divorce to them believing he was running from the police.
"Divorce? Does that mean you and Andy are planning on getting married?" Ricky asks as a spoonful of ice cream enters his lips.
"I'm not going to lie to you, we've discussed it." He nods turning away from her shifting, uncomfortably. "But Ricky," her hand meets his, he gives her his attention again. "It is more of the fact that I need this separation. To feel free to feel whole." He gives her an understanding nod. "And that I could consider him to have wanted someone dead." She lets out slowly. "Makes me believe I didn't know him as well as I thought. Or trust him like I believed I did."
"Did he do it?" Ricky interjects immediately like if the question had been lingering in his mind.
"We won't know. Unless he admits it." Sharon answers softly.
"Do you think he did it?"
"I don't know." Ricky frowns not believing her answer. "Ricky he was drinking. Whatever happened that night, he won't remember." She can see the anger rising through him. "I only tell you because you're helping him." She didn't want to tell him not to, it was his father after all.
"Just the down payment, didn't sign anything." Sharon lets out a heavy breath, Ricky stares at her.
"Good." Another deep breath let go. "I'm sorry it's a relief. You know the years it took me to untangle myself from his financial situation." Ricky nods.
"Mom, thank you." He takes his hand in hers.
"For what?" She smiles, a spoonful of ice cream in her mouth.
"Everything," He says easily. "This box filled of memories." Her smile broadens, her eyes squint examining him. "There was something Rusty said today, he was simply thankful for you giving him a home and a family." Sharon eyes deepen. "Thank you for that too." He leans in and gives her a kiss on the cheek.
"Ricky, you are my son." She lays a hand on his cheek. "My children they are the most important thing in my life." She pauses just looking at him in his eyes. A smile appearing on her face.
It's alright to add Andy." She turns a little red removing her hand from his face. "I really like him Mom." He holds her hand.
"I'm glad and I can tell you the feeling is mutual." They both return to the ice cream.
"I think you deserve to be happy, you've spent your life watching out for us. He seems to care for you." She flashes him a sideways glance. "It's still a little strange." He shrugs.
"I know and I'll be careful when I'm around you. What is it that Rusty would say minimal PDA?" He smiles.
"No mom. You haven't made me feel uncomfortable. It's nice to see this side of you."
"This side?" She questions him.
"Happy, in love." He lets out softly.
"Ricky I've been happy my entire life." She giggles softly.
"But not in love." He admits, she only stares at him softly. Something in her saddens her for the past Sharon. Her son could see happiness in her eyes that she never carried before.
"And Rusty?" She asks a little uncomfortable.
"He's great, very reserved. But he fits." Sharon and Ricky smile. "We are all a little weird." Sharon laughs but agrees. They spend the night talking, laughing looking at pictures and old family videos they find at the bottom of the box. Andy wakes up to an empty bed and frowns immediately putting a t-shirt on and walking out to the living room. He sees Sharon on one couch and Ricky on the other.
"Good Morning," he says Sharon looks at him and smiles.
"It's morning already?" Andy nods.
"Merry Christmas." Andy bends in giving her a kiss as she sits looking up at him. "You two didn't sleep?" He looks over at Ricky.
"Merry Christmas, we stayed up talking." Sharon replies. "Breakfast?" She stands up.
"No, continue I'll take care of it." Andy rubs his hand along her back and moves away.
"I'm going to shower." Sharon nods at her son and follows Andy to the kitchen. He moves around swiftly, she watches him until he catches her gaze.
"I waited for you all night." He tells her.
"I had a wonderful talk with Ricky," she walks toward him. "I'm sorry." Her arms wrapping around his waist. He smiles.
"No, apologize Beautiful." His hand grabbing hers to spin around. "I'm glad you two talked." He smiles at her swiping her hair behind her ears.
"We still need to discuss Jack." She says carefully, he pulls away returning to the stove. "My love, don't do that." He turns to face her frowning. "It's the second time you do that. And it just.."
"Then hold on to me." He grabs her hand and puts around his back. "It isn't because I want to get away," he runs a hand along her face. "It's just hearing his name, right now." He presses a gentle kiss on her temple. "Listen, we can talk when we are alone." He smiles at her weakly.
"Mom, oh I'm Sorry." He stops at the entrance.
"No, come in. Breakfast is ready." Andy tells him.
"I'm going to take a shower." Sharon adds they nod. Andy serves Ricky a plate as Rusty comes in he serves him too and excuses himself.
Sharon sings to herself as she is in the shower she feels hands on her back and jumps a little. "A warning or alert, you'll give me a heart attack." She tells him rinsing her face then turns to face him.
"Needed to hold you. But I'll wait outside." He kisses her breastbone.
"No, this is a third wonderful surprise for Christmas." He giggles as she kisses his chest, her hands scratching his back. He moves her back towards the cold wall as she makes a humming noise as his hands reach her bum.
"Can I?" He asks pushing her up against the wall.
"Oh please." She says playfully. A ringing comes from the distance.
"Our phones." Andy says pulling away while tugging on her bottom lip. He comes back bringing Sharon her phone.
"Captain Sharon Raydor." She steps away from the water.
"Merry Christmas Captain." Provenza's voice ringing through.
"Yes, Merry Christmas." She smiles as Andy approaches her. "We got a deal with Dan Wilson, the suspect for Andy's attempt in murder. He said he wasn't paid but was given the order, doesn't know the name but in a photo lineup, he couldn't point out Jack."
"You mean it wasn't him." Andy sucks on a nipple, making her head go back.
"That's exactly what I'm saying Captain." Andy's hands roaming her body. "We're looking for someone else now. Seems like they know who you are, he was asked to purposefully accuse Jackson Raydor." She bites her lip to stop herself from whimpering pushing him back on his chest, Andy frowns.
"Lieutenant I'll be there soon." Andy shakes his head getting on his knees, she closes her eyes at the immediate contact of his lips he pulls her legs apart. "Andy! My love." Her hand on his head. He pulls the phone out of her hand and tosses it, starting to kiss her folds, closing the glass door. "I have to go." She moans out.
"Are you sure?" He lets his tongue move through her folds.
"Your case." She whimpers.
"Don't talk about it. Just enjoy this." He stands up kissing her tenderly, she deepens it immediately. Her legs wrapping around him as he pushes her against the wall. They forget about the running water for a few minutes enjoying their trembling bodies against one another, restraining their moans but feeling each one of them run through their bodies.
"Do they sneak away like this all the time?" Rusty nods at Ricky as they finish breakfast.
"I've just gotten used to it, I try not to imagine things." Rusty says quickly.
"Oh no!" Ricky holds up his hands to his eyes. "Rusty!" Rusty turns to him and smiles.
Rusty laughs as Ricky continues to try and erase images from his mind. "I went through that at first but I've gotten over it." He shrugs. "Can I ask you a question?" Rusty offers to try and help Ricky.
Ricky shakes his head. "Sure."
"Your sister, she didn't visit because of Andy and me?" Ricky examines him.
"It was big news at first knowing you were here but then we both came to feel like we knew you, so much that mom talked about you." Rusty looks at his plate nervously. "I think her hesitation is Andy. The way he was willing to call us personally, it showed us how much he was in this relationship. It made me want to come out more and it backed her away." Rusty nods. "You're not the problem and neither is Andy, its fear. We're all afraid of something." Rusty looks at Ricky silently. "And well hers is seeing Mom happy without us."
"Can you pick my outfit?" Andy asks Sharon as he comes out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel.
"I'd love to." She leaves her dress and returns to the closet. "You know we forgot about presents," she calls from the closet he smiles at the dress and sits down on the bed. "Since I spent the past two Christmas's alone." She comes out with his outfit and holds out a box for him. He takes it smiling and unwraps the perfectly wrapped gift. He opens it pulling out a key. He looks at her questioning her. "Before you object, I only paid the down payment. You'll take care of the rest." She smiles.
"Sharon." He examines the key. "I can't accept this it's too much." He puts the key back in the box and holds it out to her. She wraps her hands around his and pushes it back to him moving forward.
"You need a car." She tells him. "Ricky picked it up yesterday and he approved. Test it out and let me know what you think I need to get to work." She kisses him leaving the box in his hands.
"Sharon." He stands up, she turns back to him. "Thank you. Come here." He holds out his hand and she takes it. "I love you." He wraps his hands around her.
"I love you." She runs her hands on his cheeks. "You know it's hard to express because sometimes I just don't understand how so much can fit inside of me." He looks at her confused. "The amount that I love you I mean, you see I get all jumbled." Andy smiles and kisses her neck.
"That's very cute." He says smiling. He wondered how he's been given the chance to have this part of Sharon in his life. He still questioned how much he actually deserved her.
"Cute?" She smiles. "You have never told me I was cute." He smiles as he starts nibbling in her neck. "I have to go." She pushes away, grabbing her dress.
"If we disappeared you think anyone would know?" She slips into her dress and Andy into his suit.
"Our children." Sharon answers. "And Lieutenant Provenza would definitely miss you." Andy chuckles. She walks over to him and helps him with his tie.
"Oh alright. I know it's my case and all but it wouldn't be Christmas without seeing the team. And since I can't ask you about the case, I need to talk to Provenza." She nods.
"Let's go but we're going to match." She says running her hand down on his chest. He grins as he puts on his jacket and looking at their matching outfits.
"It's Christmas, red is the color to wear." She rolls her eyes smiling.
"I'm going to see my children." She stops as she gathers her things. He looks at her. "Andy I need to stop doing that, Rusty is going to freak out." She frowns letting out a puff of air.
"No you don't. Go see them, eat something and I will be out." She nods.
"Have fun in the shower?" Ricky asks as she enters the living room.
"Ricky!" She turns red immediately.
"Oh I know the images, geez." He closes his eyes as Rusty laughs. "Sorry." He says seeing his mom very uncomfortable.
"I have to go in to work, you have five minutes to get ready?" She tells Rusty, making him quiet immediately and jump from the couch.
"He can stay with me and I know it's only here and the office." Ricky offers. "Maybe I can come by and meet your team?" He watches his mom.
"Rusty?" She questions him.
"Yes, sounds great." Rusty answers enthusiastically.
"Thank you Honey." She gives Ricky a kiss on the forehead. She hesitates for a moment and runs a hand on Rusty's back. He looks at her and smiles. "No opening presents till I'm back." They look at the tree and grin. "I know it was supposed to be done at midnight but Rusty you fell asleep."
"Ready Beautiful?" They turn to look at Andy.
"Yes." She says moving towards the door.
"So is there a dress code, red and grey." Ricky grins looking from one to the other.
"You bet there is." Andy answers Sharon laughs as she walks through the door.
Andy and Sharon make their way into the murder room, finding the team huddled over Tao's computer. Sharon continues to her office as Andy moves over to them.
"Lieutenant," Sykes chimes out making the others look up.
"Merry Christmas." They all wish him a Merry Christmas in return as Sharon returns and they all wish her a Merry Christmas too.
"Alright, you'll be briefing both me and Lieutenant Flynn here," they all look at each other confused. "Well an update for him a briefing for me." They all remain quiet not understanding but say nothing. Sanchez hands files to Provenza making Sharon clear her throat, realizing he wasn't about to set off Andy by taking over the briefing.
"Well, Dan Wilson couldn't point out Jack in a card lineup. Sanchez interrogation methods helped us to get a confession." Sharon and Andy look at Sanchez. He doesn't look at them only at Provenza. "He says he was given the order and told to blame it on Jack Raydor."
"Wait, there is someone coming after me through Sharon?" Sharon frowns. They want to kill Andy because of me. Her stomach turns.
"And it isn't Jack?" She asks softly.
"Julio." Provenza gives out frustrated.
They all look at him. "Alright Captain, Lieutenant." Andy shifts uncomfortably. "Listen Dan Wilson says he was asked to follow Jack, he had been playing at Timeout, a bar for two weeks straight, every night. He went in, Dan Wilson was previously told he was a recovering alcoholic, he switched a drink on him during a game." Sharon feels even more nauseous now. "Jack Raydor couldn't stop afterwards." Sharon runs her hand along her forehead. Oh Jack.
"You need a seat Captain?" Sykes offers, Andy looks over at her and sees how she's affected.
"No, thank you Amy. Julio please continue." He nods.
"He made him talk about you Captain and he immediately let out that.." Sanchez stops.
"Well that you and Flynn were together Captain." Provenza helps Julio.
"He offered himself to hurt Lieutenant Flynn and Jack Raydor was so drunk that he agreed to it, the others at the table heard but had no idea it was staged."
"Wait, wait." Sharon lets out quickly they all look at her. "He got a deal by Emma?" They nod, knowing where this is going.
"She knows now?" Andy asks.
"Yes and she isn't happy." Provenza groans out. Sharon moves away from the group. "Captain?" Provenza calls.
"I have to get my son to bring Rusty down, before I don't know Emma calls the caseworker or something." They all look at her worried.
"Captain, she's calm for now. I talked to her but she's waiting for your call." She nods. "Listen Captain we need to open your cases to see who could be after Lieutenant Flynn that knows you so well." She swallows deep in her throat but nods. "Yours too Lieutenant." Sanchez tells him Andy nods.
"Please continue here, I need to call Emma and get Rusty down here." Sharon starts moving again buts stops for a second time. "Lieutenant Flynn, you can only offer your help. You are not to be involved in any other form but to give information."
"Yes, Captain." He meets her eyes confirming to her that he won't get involved.
"Detective Sanchez. Thank you." He nods, slowly glancing at Andy who is talking to Provenza. "I would also like for you to accompany me somewhere." The others turn to her immediately. "Once I take care of Emma." She offers softly.
"Yes, Captain." Sanchez watches as Andy frowns.
She walks to her office, Andy doesn't linger for a moment and follows her. He closes the door behind them. "You are not going to go see him."
"Excuse me." She responds quickly as she sits at her desk.
"Jackson Raydor, that's where you want Julio to take you." Andy lets out furious, the others glance through the windows.
"Yes, that's exactly where I am going. But you cannot stop me from going anywhere." She answers too quickly, regretting her choice in words as they come out.
"Alright so I ask you, Sharon please don't go?" His voice still strong and angry.
"Andy I accused him of trying to murder you, he didn't do it. He won't stop drinking if I don't talk to him." She felt a guilt, heavier than any other at the moment.
"It's not your problem." Andy responds quickly his temper rising.
"You can come with me, but I'm going." He blows out a puff of air. "Andy he is still Jack and I made a really big mistake." She says trying to get his attention.
"A mistake." Andy nods walking out of her office. She watches him through the windows, he doesn't return to the team he is leaving. Shit. Follow him.
She follows Andy quickly the others following them with glances. "Andy, stop!" She calls him as she catches up to him.
"If I can't stop you from doing things, I won't let you stop me anymore either." He gets on the elevator and closes the door, leaving her behind.
Goddammit Sharon. She moves quickly to the murder room. "Lieutenant Provenza I need you to go after Andy please." He picks up the phone immediately. "Detective Sanchez please get Emma here immediately, Lieutenant Tao and Buzz please continue on those files and Detective Sykes, please get Rusty down here. My son Ricky might come along, I don't want them knowing a thing but I don't want them driving in a car alone either. If they targeted Andy because of me." Sykes moves out immediately not needing Sharon to finish. "Thank you."
"Captain he's waiting for me downstairs." Provenza looks at her as he sets down his phone.
"I'm coming with you." She needed to make things right.
"Captain, he's been holding back too much. He needs to blow off steam." Provenza offers cautiously.
"Yes at me." Sharon lets out angrily. She knew he had been holding back, she shouldn't have let him hold back for so long.
"I'll bring him back safe and with enough steam to offer you too." Sharon smiles. "Please Captain." Sharon nods, Provenza grabs his jacket and goes.
"Captain, Emma is on her way." Sanchez calls out.
"Julio, I'm sorry about Andy."
"Captain we've all had our differences on the team, it was just time that me and Lieutenant Flynn had ours." A weak smile is all she could offer, she knew Sanchez had no problem with Andy and still didn't fully understand Andy's problem with Julio.
She returns to her office and sits at her desk, removing her glasses and letting her face fall into her hands. I don't understand? Shouldn't I know what bothers him by now, am I that selfish that I don't know? Oh lord! He almost died because of me and instead I'm worried for Jack. Shit Sharon. Mistake? No, no. Oh Sharon. He understood it all wrong. A soft knock comes at the door, she looks up putting on her glasses.
"Come in." She calls out, even though the thing she wants to do is hide. Find Andy and take their children and hide.
"Captain?" Tao calls worried at her not answering his first question.
"Mike, I'm sorry. Yes, please. What is it?" She tries straightening her thoughts.
"Does a Juan Mario Guerrero sound familiar?" He offers her a folder.
"Yes he was a Sergeant about three years ago. He was abusing women, he got away with six months for each girl. I pushed for more but..wait." She looks at the folder. "You're telling me you think this is the guy?"
"He would know enough about you Captain, he'd have people on the inside to keep their eyes on you." Tao offers nervously as she scans the thick file.
"Why kill Andy?" Sharon says as she flips through the file, none of this was making any sense.
"That's what I wanted to ask you Captain." She shakes her head confused. "He got out about six months ago and hasn't appeared anywhere. Not for a job, no record, no money transactions." Sharon felt sick she needed Andy by her side. She knew what this man was capable of.
Sharon flips through the file and swallows deeply she knew his file with extreme detail, she didn't need to look through it. "Lieutenant if you think this is where we need to go, let's take the chance I need this case to be finished, now." He nods leaving the office. Sharon reaches for her phone quickly. She dials a number. Pick up, please. "Andy. You answered." She lets out a heavy breath.
"I'm with Provenza." He says distantly.
"Listen my Love." She falls silent for a second, she feels her body begin to shake. "I know you said I can't ask you to do things anymore and I get it, but I really need you here. Please." Why would he listen?
"I'll be there in a few minutes." Sharon feels a big relief over her. "Sharon are you alright?" Andy can hear the heaviness in each word she spoke.
"Andy," She pauses clearing her throat looking out the window watching the team start a board with the suspect's picture. She pushes away from the desk feeling as if there is no air around her. "Mike just offered a suspect, if this is the guy. We aren't messing with an amateur. He is very dangerous." She can feel her hand start shaking. Stop, Sharon.
"Don't worry. I'm coming through the building. We will be okay." He tells her reassuringly.
"Andy. I never meant that being with you was a mistake. I meant believing Jack was a murderer was a mistake." She sees him appear in the murder room, Provenza behind him. Provenza goes to the others as Andy hangs up his phone and walks towards her. She gets up and closes the blinds, he walks into the office and closes the door. "I'm sorry." She lets out immediately.
"No," he wraps his arms around her without another word. She shakes in his hold. He kisses her head. "I'm safe. And I'm not going to let anything happen to you." He waits until her shaking subdues. "Sharon, who is this guy?" He asks still holding her tight.
Andy can feel her hesitation but waits patiently. "He used to work in the LAPD I was investigating him through FID. I found out he was raping woman, he got away with minimal time and I fought it till the day he was set free. I couldn't let him go." Andy pulls away only slightly still holding on to her and questions her with a soft glare. "I didn't ever talk to him, I just followed the case, he didn't know." He didn't expect this from Sharon but he understood there were always these cases that haunted each one of them. She lays her head into his chest, he runs his hands up and down her back. "Andy you're not a mistake." She says heartfelt, he can feel the words run through her entire body.
He wraps his fingers in her hair and tilts her head back kissing her gently. "I believe you." Her tears run, he wipes them. "It's not your fault, okay none of this. Much less Jack's drinking and my short temper. I will drive you to see him okay?" She nods, resting onto his chest again. She felt the guilt of Jack drinking, Andy being attacked and everyone that surrounded her be in possible danger.
Thank you!