"I didn't expect you here for another half hour or so," Provenza said to Andy as he got out of his car. Andy looked up at Provenza and nodded.
"Well, I'm here," Andy said, getting out of the car. "What do we have?"
"A mess," Provenza said. "I called you an hour ago when I was on my way out the door. I just got here. How in the world did you get her this quickly? I know you weren't on your way to the office."
"Is that how this is going to be now?" Andy gestured, looking around at the parking lot. They had been called to a grocery store, and everything looked to be a mess. "You seem to be taking this new boss thing to your head. You're actually complaining I'm early? What gives? Be glad I'm here early; I'm your second in command," Andy flashed a fake smile.
Provenza narrowed his eyes at Andy, "Where were you this morning?"
"Geez, Provenza!" Andy exclaimed. "You really want to know?"
"I didn't want to think it, but that's where my mind went right away. She doesn't live far from here, does she? I remember that from a crime scene that was near her place. She's close to here. You were there," he told Andy.
"I was, but I had breakfast with her," Andy offered. He wasn't about to get into the details of his relationship with Sharon, the fact that he did stay the night, but that nothing had happened. That was private, especially considering she was someone from work. Besides that, the steps they were taking were leading to even more intimacy, and he didn't need to let Provenza know about his timetable.
"Breakfast," Provenza raised an eye looking at him. "Let's keep it at that so I don't lose my breakfast."
Andy started to walk alongside Provenza, "You're the one who interrogated me at my car. I didn't offer anything.
"Well, spill it," Provenza gestured as they continued to walk. "You've been tight-lipped about her. I'm not wanting ANY details involving lips," he threw a disgusted look at Andy, "but what's the deal? She dropped that little tidbit that her divorce was almost finalized at the bar. Are you some rebound idiot with her? Please tell me you're not that stupid."
Andy glanced at him and at the scene in front of him. People were busy, and they would most likely not have a moment to talk for a couple of days. The rest of the team was en route, so he nodded and gestured, "We're dating, Provenza. I'm crazy about her. I told her I love her this morning. I mean, it wasn't something I had planned, at least not over eggs," he rolled his eyes, "but I do. She's wonderful. You might think I'm some rebound for her, but it's not like that at all. She wants to be happy, and she realized she's happy with me. I'm planning to introduce her to Nic this weekend, that is if we can solve this mess," he gestured to the store.
Provenza pursed his lips and looked at Andy as he crossed his arms. He glanced around at the scene, and he looked back to say something, "Look Flynn, I'm not sure what you see in the captain. It wasn't that long ago the two of you were at each other's throats about almost anything. Maybe that was some chemistry," he shuddered and made a face. "Whatever the case, you know I want you to be happy. I also don't want you to be stupid. Just tread lightly. If this blows up in your face at work, it could make dealing with FID challenging. Hopefully, now with the chief issue over, the captain can go back to her office, and we can reclaim ours. I don't need any issues with FID or any other departments. Word of advice," he nodded to Andy, and Andy raised his eyebrows in wonder. "I wouldn't let it get around much the two of you are an item. She doesn't have the best reputation, and that's also something we don't need, you being talked about all over the building. What I want for Major Crimes is to be off the radar; I want the building to leave us alone. I know that sounds ridiculous with our division always getting the high-profile cases, but I'm tired of every case being a problem for us. I'm in charge now, and I want us to be out of the spotlight. My next order of business will be finding someone to replace Gabriel, and even with that, I want someone who is low-maintenance. Now, can you handle that, keeping a low profile with the captain?"
"Sure, not a problem," Andy nodded to him. "Look, it means a lot you support this."
Provenza looked to him, horrified, and he shook his head, "I wouldn't say I support it, but I also can't stop it. Just stay out of trouble, Flynn, and let's be a grown up about this relationship. You and I both know we've had our share of flings. Don't," he pointed to Andy, "do that here. If you're done, tell her and walk away. I don't need an irritated Raydor on my back."
"Fine," Andy waved his hand, but then he smiled at Provenza. "It won't be like that. I just know it."
The two were summoned by the other detectives on the scene. Robbery/Homicide had been collecting evidence and was turning over the case. Mike walked up to the two as they were walking across the parking lot. The team was assembling now, and they could get to work.
Over the course of the next hour, the team started to process the scene, collecting the information they needed. They spoke to the various techs on scene, and Buzz started filming. Provenza scowled when he noted that Taylor had arrived, obviously to check on him. Mike walked up to Provenza.
"Lucky us," Mike said, pushing his glasses onto his face. Provenza shook his head.
"I cannot believe that idiot is now our boss. He just can't keep his nose out of things. Let's deal with him and get him out of here," he told Mike.
Mike nodded toward Taylor, "He brought Raydor. I thought she was going to be out of our hair now."
Provenza looked to Mike, "Let's hope she's just here for her department and nothing more. On that note, get Flynn, please."
Mike gave him an odd look, "Anything I can do to help?"
"Check on the others; I'm going to approach Taylor and Raydor with Flynn. The two were still talking and had not realized that Taylor had walked up to them; he'd moved faster than they had anticipated.
"Taylor, I don't have time for an update right now," Provenza waved. "This is an active scene."
"You need to provide an update now, Lieutenant Provenza. Captain Raydor needs one," he said.
Provenza glanced over to Sharon, and she was looking around the scene as well. As he started to speak, Andy walked to them, "Okay, I finished that interview." He glanced to Provenza and then toward Taylor and Sharon, "Taylor, seriously, we've processed crime scenes before."
"I was just saying," he smirked at Andy, "your new boss needs an update."
Andy glanced to Provenza. Mike did too. Taylor stood there, a slight grin on his face. Sharon let out a sigh, and Mike spoke first, pointing at Sharon, "You?" His eyes widened, and he looked to Taylor, then Provenza.
Provenza's eyes widened as Mike spoke, and he shook his hand at Taylor, "Are you kidding me? I'm supposed to be running this unit."
"Not anymore," Taylor said, rocking back on his heels. "Lieutenants meet your new boss. Captain Raydor has been transferred, effective immediately. Have a nice day," he smirked and started to turn to the scene. "I think I'll get an update, seeing as how I'm Chief now."
Andy's eyes widened, and he looked immediately to Sharon. Everything clicked-the comments, the worry on Sharon's face, everything. It all made sense now. She couldn't tell him, but now, she was his boss. He was in a relationship with his boss, his new boss, and that could change everything. His eyes tried to meet hers, but she was looking at Taylor walking away, just leaving her there, and then, he noted she glanced around at the active scene. When he realized she wasn't going to look at him, he looked to Provenza who was there, ready to explode with anger.
"I'll be back," Andy said, his voice full of anger. That had Sharon snap her head at him, and he spun around. "Taylor, you and I are going to talk and NOW."
