Sharon hadn't been home long, and she was already irritated. Provenza. Rusty. It wasn't the relaxing night she wanted. Instead of curling up on her couch with a cup of tea, she was standing on her balcony because there wasn't anywhere inside to comfortably sit. Provenza's museum of artifacts littered her living room, and Rusty had disappeared to his room, no doubt worried he'd be on the receiving end of Sharon's wrath. He was probably right. Provenza's "treasures" were not the welcome home she wanted tonight. She stood there, looking out over the LA sky, trying to enjoy the night. She and Andy had discussed quite a few things, and while she wasn't concerned with their discussion in the least, it still had her thinking. She hoped his meeting was providing him with the help he needed tonight. She glanced at her phone; Andy should be done with his meeting. She toyed with the idea of calling him, not wanting to interrupt him if he was planning to stay for a second meeting. After debating for a couple of minutes, she decided to call him. She didn't want to be a pest, but she did want him to know she cared.

"Hi," she said softly when he answered. She smiled at just the sound of his voice.

"Hi there, Beautiful, or do I need to switch Captain? Is this a work-related call?" he teased slightly, but also somewhat wondering.

Sharon smiled even brighter. Andy was doing better; that she could tell just from the conversation already. "No, this is not work-related, so you can skip the formalities. I was calling to see if you were doing okay. I have been standing here thinking about you."

"Hmm," he hummed into the phone. "That's nice to hear, but I do have to ask where are you standing?"

"Oh," she sighed, "that's another story. I'm standing on the balcony. My living room is otherwise occupied."

"Oh, Rusty?" he asked, now with interest.

"In a way, yes," she chuckled. "I'll get to that, but tell me if I'm interrupting. I didn't want to call, but then I wanted to call. Then, I didn't want to interrupt if you were staying for a second meeting, but then I wanted to let you know I was thinking about you."

"Wow, that's a lot of thinking," he chuckled. "I'm touched. You can tell your brain to rest. I'm doing much better. The meeting was good. Tonight, I don't feel the need to stay for a second meeting. I'm kind of wired now after the first, but in a good way. I'll be fine. Now that we've covered my issues, tell me what you were cryptic about with your living room."

Sharon groaned, "I want to strangle your partner," she stated.

"Provenza? What in the world? Sharon, you're going to have to clue me in, Sweetheart. I'm not putting the pieces together tonight. Call this detective off duty."

"I'm sorry," she chuckled. "I'm not trying to be purposely cryptic. As you know, you negotiated Provenza's moving contract with Rusty. Well, it turns out Provenza was having trouble letting go of his things, and instead of having Rusty take them all to charity, he rented a storage unit. Now, Patrice doesn't know about this storage unit, and of course, when your partner is involved in anything, it's not simple. Rusty and TJ moved everything to storage, who by the way seems like a very nice young man, but when they got to the storage unit, it wouldn't all fit. Half of Provenza's treasures are scattered across my living room. I'm outside because there isn't even room to sit. Andy, he's got so much junk! What is really pathetic is that I'm not sure a charity would even want most of it. It's absolutely hideous."

Andy started to laugh at Sharon's story, and then he added, "Oh, I know how bad his decorating taste is. I can only imagine. The guy still has a rotary dial phone, Sharon."

"No! He does not!" Sharon exclaimed as she started to laugh too. "Oh, Andy, that's terrible."

"I know. I imagine if you dig through whatever is there, you just might find it. Knowing the little I do about Patrice, she'll have that place updated in no time," he continued to chuckle. He turned serious, "I am really sorry he's taken over your living room. I'll deal with that."

"Oh, well, thank you, but you don't need to do that. It's not why I called," she said.

"I know, but still," he told her. "You shouldn't be in the middle of Provenza's love life."

"Hmm, when you put it like that, you're right. I truly don't want to be in the middle of his love life," she sighed.

"I'm glad you called," he said sweetly. "It helped me just as much as my meeting, just in a different way."

"I'm glad to hear that. I just wanted you to know I was thinking of you and hoping you were finding some peace. You mean a lot to me, Andy," she told him.

"I feel the same, Sharon," he said. "Tell me, did you at least make yourself a cup of tea?"

"No," she chuckled. "I had plans to make a cup of tea and curl up on my couch. Instead, I've retreated to the balcony."

"Hmm," he sighed, "I have an idea. The coffee here tonight was terrible; I didn't even drink a full cup. What would you say to my stopping by for just a little while to have a cup of tea with you? I realize you are not in the position to entertain guests, but I'm willing to overlook that."

"Are you?" Sharon teased. "Well, as I told Rusty the other night, you aren't a guest. I'm not planning to entertain you when you are here."

"Ah, that's a shame," he teased. Sharon burst out laughing.

"Of course, you can come over. I just don't want you going out of your way," she told him.

"It's not out of my way," he told her. "It's just a creative, even scenic route home."

"I see. I think I could provide a beverage to tide you over on that long drive home," she chuckled.

"Perfect. Plus, it will give me a chance to see all Provenza's treasures as you called them. I've got to see this. Even better, maybe I'll text him a photo of it with some caption just to irritate him. He kept bugging me all day wondering what was wrong with you. I told him nothing, but he didn't seem to be buying it."

"Maybe he was thrown off by our absurd captain and lieutenant banter. It almost disturbed me," she told him.

"Fine," he sighed. "That little professional gesture can end."

"I'll put some tea on and see you soon?" she asked, hoping he was already on his way.

"10 minutes, tops. I was already in the car when you called, and my car just turned itself toward your place," he said.

"See you soon, Andy," she smiled.

Andy arrived 10 minutes later as he'd promised. Sharon had sent him a text telling him to come in when he arrived; she'd left the door unlocked.

"Oh, you weren't kidding," she heard from the kitchen as she finished making their tea. She left the mugs on the counter and moved into the living room to greet Andy. She crossed her arms and started to nod her head when she met his gaze.

"Yes, it's, it's quite awful," she said as she grimaced.

Andy nodded in agreement as he surveyed the room. He walked to one of the boxes and started to look through it. "Man, this stuff is terrible! I can't believe Provenza actually wants to store some of this junk. Oh, there are those awful duck lamps."

Sharon walked to them and picked up one as she looked at it. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say Rusty cleaned out a hunting lodge."

Andy chuckled, "Provenza loves those ugly lamps. He must really love Patrice if he let those go."

"Hmm, the things people do," she put the lamp down and made a face at it. She turned her attention to Andy, "I'm awfully glad you stopped by. I know it's late, but it's very good to see you." She walked to Andy and wrapped her arms around him. "I've been thinking about our dinner talk, and I just want you to know that I'm completely supportive of you, Andy, and I'll be by your side as you continue with your recovery program."

"Thank you," he told her as he kissed her head. "I have done more thinking too and just want you to know how much I appreciate you, how much I value you. I know you don't enter into this relationship lightly; I don't either, but I feel you have a lot more to overlook with my past mistakes, and I am grateful you are willing to take a chance on a washed-up guy like me."

"You're not washed up," Sharon, still in his arms, said as she looked up at him. She leaned up and kissed his lips quickly. "You, Andy Flynn, are a wonderful man. Everyone has a story; yours had a rocky section, but you've put it back on track nicely, as have I, at least I believe."

"Oh, I'm the lucky one," Andy grinned as he kissed her back. "No doubt. Now, I'd love to stand here in the middle of Provenza's treasure trove, but could we maybe sit?"

"Yes," she took his hand and pulled him along to the kitchen. She handed him a mug, and he moved toward the dining room table. "Nope, not tonight. We're both too old to sit at the table right now. My body aches; I'm so worn out. I am taking you to my room," she tugged on his arm again. His eyebrows rose in question.

"Really? Wow, so glad I invited myself over," he chuckled. Sharon rolled her eyes, knowing Andy was teasing her.

"Behave, or I'll send you on your way. We can even leave the door open so we aren't ridiculed by Rusty again," she explained. Andy groaned and shook his head at the thought of another Rusty inquisition. Sharon pulled Andy into her room and nodded, "Make yourself comfortable."

"Well, in that case," Andy smirked at her and put his tea down. He kicked off his shoes and acted like he was going to remove his shirt and tie. He winked to Sharon before he started to chuckle. He finally flopped down on the bed, stretching all the way out. "Oh, my back," he sighed. "This was definitely a much better idea than sitting at the dining room table."

Sharon hummed as she moved to the other side to sit down. He opened one eye and looked up to her, "Sorry, I didn't ask which side I'm allowed to sit on, so?"

She gestured to where he was, "You guessed correctly. This is my side," she said as she settled herself. She tucked her legs under her and rested her arm on her pillow so she was turned sideways to talk to him.

"See, just shows we are in sync more than we thought. I like this side," he grinned. He turned on his side and groaned again as his back spasmed. He got comfortable, and the two found themselves smiling as they settled in with their tea. "Before I go, I'm going to take a picture of Provenza's antique roadshow out there." Sharon laughed and then started to sip her tea. Andy sighed loudly and rolled back onto his back to stretch out again. He closed his eyes, and the two were silent for a few moments. "I'm so comfortable right now," he grumbled. Sharon hummed as she smiled at him. Andy opened his eyes and turned his head to Sharon. She titled her head and smiled again at him. "Okay," he said as he sat up and moved back against the headboard. He got comfortable and crossed his legs that were now stretched out in front of him. "If I stayed like that any longer, I was going to fall asleep. I would rather talk to you right now."

Sharon nodded and leaned the side of her head up against the headboard. The two were now looking at each other and enjoying the silence.

"Is Rusty getting that junk out of here in the morning?" Andy asked as he sipped the tea.

"He said he was. I'll make sure to drop a few subtle hints to Provenza tomorrow," she explained.

"Oh, I won't be subtle. I'll be nice and blunt with him," he grinned.

"Hmm, I can only imagine. Just try not to get into a fight with him with all the team around. I know he knows more about us than anyone else, but let's keep a lid on this. I don't mind if you let him know you were over here, but just not with all ears listening."

"Fair enough," he nodded. "I'm sure I'll get a chance to tear into him," he flashed a grin.

Sharon was about to say something, when they heard Rusty's door open and then saw Rusty walk by the room. He had his earbuds in and appeared to be texting on his phone. He didn't glance their way, but he continued to the kitchen. Andy met Sharon's gaze and shook his head as he chuckled. Teenagers. They both listened and heard Rusty getting something to drink. Both Sharon and Andy continued to drink their tea while they sat there. Soon, they heard Rusty coming back down the hall, and this time, he about jumped when he saw both Sharon and Andy sitting in her room. He stopped in the doorway and pulled out his earbuds.

"Why are you in here drinking tea?" he asked. Andy threw him a look and rolled his eyes. His nod toward the living room seemed to be the clue Rusty needed. "Oh," Rusty said. "Lieutenant, I didn't even know you were coming over this evening."

"Just stopped in to talk to your mom, but when I walked in, I wondered if I'd made a wrong turn and had ended up at Provenza's house," he frowned.

"Yeah, I'm sure Sharon told you that it will be gone in the morning," Rusty explained. "It's like weird to stand here and talk to you two sitting there," he gestured to Sharon's bed. "It's like you shouldn't be in her room."

"Really?" Andy rolled his eyes. "We can gladly move to your room and sit with you, unless you can think of somewhere else to relax. The dining room table wasn't doing it for us tonight. We're old, if you hadn't noticed."

"Yeah, it's just weird," he gestured to them again. "I'm going to go back to my room. Night, Lieutenant. Sharon, are you going in early tomorrow?"

"I am," Sharon nodded. "Night, Rusty." Rusty threw a small wave to them as he left. Andy glanced at Sharon, and she started to laugh. "He'll get used to us."

"Not so sure. He's been more distant with me the last few times I was here. You'd think he'd be okay seeing me over here, but all he wants to do is to flee now when he sees me," Andy said.

Sharon shifted closer and put her head on Andy's shoulder, "Give him time. " She yawned, and Andy took her hand in his.

"I like just sitting here with you. I guess I need to get going, though, before I'm too tired to move," he stated.

"Hmm, yes, I guess so. You're sure you are okay with this slow pace? I know it's not always easy," she asked him.

"Of course," he nodded and squeezed her hand. He turned slightly and kissed her head. "I'm here with you, and you agreed to move forward with me. I'm more than okay with things, even though it pains me to leave you tonight. This," he gestured to their relaxed forms, "is very, very relaxing and nice. I enjoy just being close to you, even if we aren't ready for more."

"Thank you," she patted her hand on his chest. She sat up and kissed him, pulling back finally to smile at him. "I'm glad I got to see you."

"Me too," he groaned as he sat up. He reached for his tie, which he had taken off after joking about it with Sharon. He put his shoes back on and turned to Sharon. She had stood on her side and collected her tea mug. Andy motioned for her to hand over her mug to him. She did as she walked up to him. She ran her hands over his shirt, somewhat missing the tie she always enjoyed playing with around Andy's neck.

"Hopefully we can put this case to bed tomorrow," she told him. Andy nodded, pulling her in closer. He met her gaze and kissed her sweetly.

"Speaking of bed, you need to go to bed," he whispered. "I do too, so I need to leave."

Sharon nodded, and the two walked into the living room. Andy walked by Sharon and took the mugs to the dishwasher. Sharon heard him put them away while she surveyed Provenza's mess again.

"Oh yeah, a picture," Andy grinned.

"Here," Sharon motioned to Andy's phone, "I'll take the picture. You should be in it, or he'll just argue you weren't here, and I sent you the picture."

"Great idea," he grinned. Andy moved toward the sliding glass doors so Sharon could get him standing behind all the junk. He crossed his arms in irritation. Sharon laughed as she snapped the photo.

"You look so irritated," she chuckled.

"I am, for you," he winked, as he took the phone from her. "I'll deal with Provenza. Get some sleep, Captain," he smiled.

"Be careful driving home," she leaned up and kissed him again. "See you in the morning."

Andy saluted as he left, and Sharon locked up the house. She groaned when she turned around to the mess again, intent on subtly annoying Provenza about it in the morning.