A/N Sanctuary City, part IV missing scene. No beta all mistakes are mine.

The iPad landed on the sofa with a soft thud, it's dim glow the only light in the dark living room. "Fucking WebMD," Andy Flynn muttered under his breath, his hands running through his already mussed hair. Leaning his head back against the cushions, his eyes slipped closed, their conversation from a few hours before still heavy on his mind.

"Andy, I've told you exactly what the doctor said. We've caught this early and he doesn't see a reason why everything shouldn't work out just... fine. We will see how I respond to the antibiotics and other medications he prescribed," she drew in her bottom lip, "We…have to wait… and see. That's all I know."

He continued to study her; the way her hands fidgeted in her lap, the way she assaulted her bottom lip with her teeth, the way her eyes periodically lost contact with his. Reaching up, he slipped her glasses off, slipping them into the pocket of his robe, "Andy…what are you doing?" Tracing his finger down the slope of her nose, his warm hand moved to gently caress her cheek; giving in, her eyes fluttered closed as she nuzzled against him, "Andy…" she breathed softly.

"Promise me…" the low tenor of his voice forced her eyes open, he leaned forward, now only inches from her. She sometimes forgot how easily she could get lost in the dark, depths of his gaze. "Sharon," his thumb gently grazed her cheek, "Promise me, you won't shut me out. You won't try to keep how you are really feeling from me. Please! I meant it when I said we," he squeezed her knee with his other hand, "Sharon, that's you and me…we are in this together."

A single tear fell from her tired green eyes, "I know," she sighed against him, "Deep down, I do know that." Her hand migrated atop his, the tips of her fingers cold against his warm skin, "Don't let me…shut you out. Okay…you may have to push me a little. Andy, I'm giving you permission to push me when you think I need it."

A low chuckle escaped him, "You're gonna get irritated with me."

With a soft shrug and a sad smile, she nuzzled his hand with her cheek once again, "I'll try not to."

"Then, I'm not letting you out of my sight."

"Okay," she nodded against him, a fresh batch of tears threatening.

His hand slipped down to her side, "I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted. Can we continue this conversation lying down?"

"I think that is the best idea you've had yet."

Once they settled into bed, he was surprised at how quickly she fell asleep, once again a testament to how tired she really was. There was still so much he needed to say, so many questions he needed to ask. They hadn't even discussed when and what exactly they were going to tell the kids. He lay beside her for hours begging for sleep to save him from his thoughts, until he finally gave up. Hating to leave her, but scared he would wake her from much needed sleep, Andy quietly padded into the living room. He should have never googled cardiomyopathy, that was his first mistake. It had taken him on a path of no return, words and outcomes that could never be unseen only caused his fear and anxiety to build more.

Standing with a low groan Andy moved to the balcony windows. How many times had he found her in this exact spot in the weeks following his heart attack. Now he understood the unspoken fear that must have been so overwhelming for her, although she never once showed it. Occasionally, he caught a sadness in her eyes that was so full of fear, but it would vanish as soon as she realized he was watching. He saw that same sadness again today, except now she couldn't hide it quite so easily. The ragged breath he attempted to draw, caught on the lump in his throat as fear and anger settled deep inside his chest. She didn't deserve this, but how many times could he continue to ask… why her, why Sharon? What scared him the most was the uncertainty of what lies ahead. There were too many unanswered questions, too many paths this disease could take. Would their life together end, just when it was beginning? Could their fate be that cruel? His hands tightened into fist, his chin dropped to his chest, he struggled once again to take that one cleansing breath, longing to feel it burn through fear and sorrow filling his chest.

The hands that slid around his waist startled him but only for a brief second. Worry knitted her brow as she leaned her forehead against the middle of his back, "Have you slept at all?" Her voice was muffled against his soft grey t-shirt.

His head hung even lower, not trusting his voice, he gave it a small shake.

Sharon sighed heavily against him, "Andy…" her small hands shifted to his hips, trying to turn him but he refused to budge.

Clearing his throat, Andy begged his voice to remain even, "Did the doctor mention myocarditis? I did some reading tonight…"

"Andy…" her head rolled back and forth against his back.

He stepped quickly from her light hold, moving back to the sofa, he sat heavily. Picking up his iPad, he leaned forward, scrolling through the pages, "Maybe we need to get a second opinion. Or…"

"Andy…" her voice caught deep in her throat, "Please stop." She turned to look at him, even in the dim light she could see the hurt and fear consuming him.

"Maybe it's pericarditis," he rattled on as if she hadn't spoken. "Have you had a sharp, stabbing chest…"

Having enough, she jerked the iPad from his hand before he could continue and in one swift motion threw it in the nearby chair. Without another word and not giving him time to react, she stepped between his knees and pulled him flush against her. One hand moved into his short silver hair while the other held firm against his shoulder. She could feel his shuddering draw of air against her, the blush silk of her nightgown cool against his cheek, while her fingertips moved in a slow circular motion against the back of his head. The first sob that escaped him was muffled against her rib cage; the second, a silent tremble, "Shh…that's it. Just let it out," her voice was so soft, so full of love that it made his heart break just a little bit more. "I'm right here…shh." It wasn't the first time he had cried in her arms and he knew after today it wouldn't be the last. He just prayed that in the days going forward, he could give her even half the strength that she gives him.