Oh maaaan this took an age to write! Thanks MUST go to Deenikn8 for the huuuge push to get this up! It's late and it's little but I promise I'm getting right onto the next part (after I've watched the new ep of Call the Midwife tonight)

Hope you all enjoy as ever and thank you to everyone that has read and reviewed so far, you're all wonderful, especially as I'm terrible at posting! but hey, silver lining here is you'll have an excuse to go back and watch the episodes as I write my add-ons! :)

Season 2 Episode 14 - All In (the original nutcracker episode)

For the third time Sharon found herself standing in front of the hall mirror, Andy was on his way over to pick her up and she was questioning her outfit choice. It wasn't as if she hadn't already had this argument four times in her own head, dresses in cobalt blue, red, coral, and a questionable grey all lay forgotten on her bed. She'd settled on the purple, it was much more appropriate for a night at the Nutcracker, with Andy's family. And Ex-wife.

She'd met them before, at Nicole's wedding, and they were still labouring under the premise that she was 'his friend Sharon' but still, making a good impression was never a bad idea. Though she was nervous it was a good nervous, maybe. In any event she could handle it, Andy on the other hand had been a nervous wreck for days.

It was adorable really, how nervous he had been about asking her, as if she'd say no!

As the smile widened on her face at the memory, the sound of a knock on the door drew her attention. For a second her brows furrowed, Andy would usually use his key, he rarely knocked. Yet sure enough when she tugged open the door there he was, face partially obscured by the large bouquet of lillies he held in his hand.

"Flowers? Really?" Sharon smiled as he held them out to her, his small shrug did not go unnoticed.

"Part thank you, part apology."

"Apology?" She glanced back only briefly as she walked through the condo towards the kitchen, she knew he was following her.

"I've been acting like a real asshole the past couple of days."

"No you haven't! Distracted and edgy maybe but certainly not an asshole."

Andy shrugged again as he stood by the bar, watching as she retrieved a vase from the cupboard and ran some water. "I think Provenza would disagree with you there Sharon."

"Lieutenant Provenza and I have different criteria."

He smiled when she looked back at him, though he knew she was probably right, he hadn't done anything particularly terrible but just being so preoccupied left him feeling like a fool. All because he'd panicked when Nicole suggested he bring Sharon with him tonight. He was afraid it would spook her, they'd been together a while but had not yet gone public, what if she wasn't ready?

"Andy? What's really going on here? What's making you so nervous?" Sharon softly placed the vase of flowers on the side table and moved to stand in front of him. His hands were shoved in his pockets and he fidgeted on the spot, it was a tell, when he was anxious or didn't know his next step.

"Oh I don't know. Everything and nothing."

"You're probably going to need to elaborate there." Sharon smiled, running her hand down his arm to wrap softly around his wrist.

"Things are just going so well with the kids lately, I'm almost on friendly terms with my son now but I'm still anxious that I'll mess it up again."

"Andy..."

"History isn't really on my side here Sharon, and then there's you aswell."

"Me?"

Andy exhaled slowly and lowered himself into a high stool at the bar that seperated the kitchen from the dining area. Sharon moved closer, her hand still softly stroking the bare skin at his wrist as she regarded him carefully.

"I'm pretty sure Nicole has an idea about us, I don't want you to feel under pressure or uncomfortable."

"Andy." Sharon smiled softly, both of her hands coming up to lay against his cheeks. "First and foremost I'm going with you tonight as your friend. I'm there to support you. Both your children are beginning to appreciate that their Dad is a good man, you made your mistakes, who hasn't. It's about what you do to fix them that counts. Just be yourself, do not overthink this, it's just one night."

"Yeah, I know. It's just her, it's like she undermines me for sport, just to try and get me to lose it or whatever."

Sharon sighed, she knew only too well that the 'her' to which he was referring was his ex. She wasn't a thoroughly bad person, but the years had made her a little bitter, as if she was still waiting for Andy to give up, or run away again. He wouldn't, Sharon knew he wouldn't, she wouldn't let him.

"That has a simple solution Andy. You dust off that charming smile, and you show up. You keep showing up and you do so with dignity, humility, and respect. If you do that then she cannot touch you."

It was then that he smiled, his arms finally wrapping around her waist as he pulled her into the circle of his embrace. "You're amazing, you know that right?"

Sharon shrugged, her hands squeezing his shoulders where they now rested. "I'm just a girl, who happens to love a guy, who clearly has issues seeing how great he is."

Andy smiled as he tugged her closer still, his lips dropping a quick but meaningful kiss to her's.

"You know, we could tell them, if you want?" Sharon's voice was small as she spoke between brief, soft kisses. At her words Andy pulled back just a fraction to really look at her.

She really was amazing, this woman in his arms. Though he could tell in her eyes that she wasn't doing this for them, more for him. He used to think he needed them to be public for their relationship to somehow be validated. Wrong. They were what they were and it worked for them.

"Actually, I don't think we need to."

Sharon narrowed her eyes at his vague response, elliciting a small chuckle from him as he continued.

"Don't get me wrong I will hold your hand in front of them if I want to, I might even extend to a quick kiss, but it doesn't need some sort of announcement. It's not who we are."

Sharon's smile widened significantly, for a moment she felt as though she'd forgotten how to breathe. It had been hanging over them for months, possibly even longer, they'd both questioned the possibility of going public and they'd avoided even talking about the subject.

"Sharon, I used to think that having a public relationship would somehow make it more real. I was wrong. What we have has worked for a couple of years now, it doesn't mean our relationship is secret it's simply between us. Turns out I'm actually quite a private person, who knew?"

Her soft laughter at his words was drowned out when she pressed her lips to his again. Part of her wanted to shout their love from the rooftops but this was so much better. It was them, it worked and it was real. It was time they made their own rules.

"You're getting soft in your old age Lieutenant." Sharon smiled as she slipped from his grip and picked up her jacket.

"Old's the word. Maybe I finally grew up."

"Find that hard to believe Andy Flynn. Now I understand I was promised dinner first?"

Andy grinned and moved through the condo behind her, pausing briefly to adjust his tie. "That you were, Honey."

His smile grew when he met her at the door, halting her path for just a moment, the smile she wore was so bright it lit her eyes.

"Whatever happens tonight, whatever my ex-wife says, or however many times my son will inevitably defend her...know I love you. I never want to give up on my kids and I never will but if you weren't with me, I'd probably get closer to almost. Thanks for being there."

Sharon's smile softened as she kissed him quickly, her hand gripping his wrist for a moment before she tangled her fingers with his. "Andy you're a good father, your passion for your family is one thing I love about you...until it starts inflaming your temper during cases like it did yesterday...nevertheless, let's have a nice dinner, followed by an equally lovely night with your family."

Andy nodded as he followed her out into the hall. He was overthinking it, he knew, as usual. Somehow Sharon always calmed him, let him see a way past his anxieties in any given situation. She was his sanctuary, his life line and his other half. In every sense of the word.