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It had been a long week, but somehow, at the end of it, she was sitting there in the dark, still evening with a smile on her face. That, she had not predicted. Her mind started to wander, but before she really got into any thoughts, she heard the sliding door open and looked over at it. She smiled; she couldn't help that. He stepped outside, and she patted the cushioned patio furniture for him to sit down beside her.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to leave you out here alone. I hope you don't mind being here," Andy said as he got settled beside her. He wrapped his arm around her back, and she shifted to his side. They met for a quick kiss before they got comfortable sitting there together.

"I'm doing just fine," she said with a nod. "I'm content, even enjoying the evening."

"Really?" Andy asked, surprise evident in his voice. "I know it was a lot."

Sharon turned her head to look at him, "Andy, this is your family. Really, I've had a lovely evening."

He smiled brightly and pulled her closer to him, "Good. I have too. This week has just been crazy, all over the place. I mean, let's look at work. You're now my boss. I love my boss," he admitted with a grin and a chuckle.

Sharon chuckled too, leaning to kiss his neck, "Hmm, never imagined I would be divorced and in love with one of my lieutenants," she laughed and sighed. "I also never saw myself as the head of Major Crimes."

"Yet, here we are," Andy gestured with his arm.

"Hmm," Sharon put her finger to her mouth, "can I admit maybe the most disturbing thing?"

"Of course," he nodded.

"I'm in love with a grandfather," she said, giving him a horrified look. "In all of this, I was okay knowing your previous reputations and all, but you're a grandfather. I'm not sure," she said frowning. "That is what really hurts my own reputation," she said patting her hair.

Andy burst out laughing, and Sharon turned to face him, the pose a little awkward, but they were sitting on Nicole's back patio alone now in the dark. She looked at his eyes, and with the faint light coming from Nicole's living room out onto the deck, she could see him looking at her, the warmth there. Her eyes, she knew they had to be sparkling because she was happy, giddy even, and this moment, here at his daughter's house-not even, his daughter's fiancée's house, she couldn't imagine a better moment.

Andy wrapped his arms loosely around her waist, and that was the invitation she needed or had been wanting. She curled up there, turning sideways and sitting in his lap where she wrapped her arms around his neck. She cleared her throat.

"This okay?" Sharon asked about their seating arrangement.

"Okay?" Andy asked, teasing her. "I'm not complaining," he grumbled. "I have a gorgeous woman sitting here on me. I just ask I not be held responsible for any mischief this might cause me to ahhh pursue."

She laughed, "Mischief?"

"As I said," he gestured, "beautiful woman sitting here. What's a guy to do?" He leaned in and kissed her. She allowed it for a few moments before she pulled back.

"I only wanted to find out of we should not be doing this here because your daughter might come out and find us like this," Sharon stated.

"Oh," he frowned, "nah, they are still putting the boys to bed. I left you here all alone because the boys insisted on Grandpa Andy reading them a bedtime story."

Sharon clutched her chest as she sighed, "Oh, that is so sweet. I adore those boys, which I know is silly since I just met them. They are adorable and very much attached to Nicole already, you too," she nodded.

"Can I tell you it honestly surprised me that Nicole introduced me as Grandpa Andy? I mean, I love it; I'm flattered. I suppose I was expecting her to introduce me as a dirt bag or her horrible father," he said.

Sharon frowned, "She loves you, Andy, and I can tell that she's trying. You are trying-that I know, but she is too. I know it has to be hard for her to trust you, but she is trying to do that. Keep going with her because it's worth it. Those little boys are worth it. Nicole needs her dad, and her boys need their grandpa."

"Her boys," he said with a small smile. "Yeah, you're right. They are almost hers, and she loves them like they are."

"She does," Sharon said, leaning to him and kissing him sweetly. When she pulled back, she continued talking, "I enjoyed seeing her with them, meeting all of them. Dean seems like a wonderful man with a good head on his shoulders."

"He does," Andy agreed. "I'm happy for her, happy she seems to have found a good man, someone who will treat her well. I have said it, but again, thank you for coming tonight. With all of this week, I realize meeting my daughter was just another stressor."

"Not at all," Sharon said, leaning closer. "If we can get through this week, we can get through just about anything," she said. They started to kiss, and that intensified over the next few minutes. Eventually, Sharon pulled back and leaned her head against his.

"We should stop," Andy grumbled. "Anything more tonight here, and I think my daughter would never view us the same."

Sharon laughed, kissing him quickly again before she moved to his side again. She sighed, and once again, Andy kissed her head. They were quiet as they calmed themselves, and finally, Sharon spoke again.

"It's nice to see," she commented and continued, "a family putting itself together. The boys are very lucky to have Dean and Nicole. So many situations, so many children do not end up in good situation with parents who care."

"You're right," Andy nodded. "This world is a mess. Plenty of people shouldn't be allowed to be parents. The rest of us just screw it up, screw up our families."

Sharon reached for his hand, her eyes meeting his. She patted it, "You have not screwed up your family. No family is perfect. You've had your bumps, but I believe we are sitting here discussing how wonderful your daughter is and what an amazing family she's created."

"Yeah, she has, but still," he sighed, giving her a soft smile.

"There's no still," she said, leaning toward him to nudge him. "Your daughter has turned out pretty great and is really making a home with Dean and these boys. They are very lucky to have her. I think about how badly things can go for kids, for example, Rusty from our case."

"Hmm," Andy nodded as he listened. "That kid had it bad, I mean, think about it. It's bad enough he lives on the street because his mom abandoned him. That's cold, harsh. Then, he gets mixed up with a serial killer and has that guy coming after him. He's attacked, and now, he's some star witness in a case. He's still a teenager and has so many strike against him already. It doesn't seem right."

"Exactly," Sharon nodded. "He's had a hard life. Your kids, my kids," she sighed, "yes, things have been rocky, but nothing like that. Andy, I think all parents believe they've messed up their kids at some point. It's our job to love them, to provide for them, and to be there for them. You're right that some children have it terribly rough. Rusty is a perfect example of that. I hope they can find a good home for him."

"You think they will?" Andy asked, running his hand through her hair.

Sharon pursed her lips, "At this point, I don't know. He's not a child, but he is. He's been on the streets and wants to resist help from anyone. We, the LAPD, can keep him safe until the trial, but I'm not sure a child like Rusty will rebound. We can hope, but he doesn't want to trust anyone. That's a tough cycle to break. At the end of they day, I'm afraid all we can do is treat him well, take care of him while he's in police custody, and when we do have to turn him loose, send him with our cards, certain that one day he'll have to call us for more help."

"Cynthia will have her work cut out for her placing him with someone," Andy stated.

Sharon nodded, "Yes, I spoke with her about that. She'll keep looking. With his unique situation, there are some other options that could be explored. She might be able to put him into a military type boarding school right now, both to keep him around for the trial and to maybe get through to him."

"Hmm," Andy chuckled quietly, "I have to admit that I wondered if you had some idea to help with Rusty."

"Me?" Sharon said, turning to him, clearly surprised.

"You like helping people, and I assumed you'd want to help a struggling kid," Andy said. "I know we see plenty in our line of work-"

"We do, and from that, you and I both know we can't help them all. I think right now with everything else, with starting this new job, with our growing relationship, I think I'm content, happy," she said with a large smile. "You make me very happy," she said, squeezing his hand.

Andy looked to it and up to her again. He smiled at her and glanced toward the house when he saw moment inside. Nicole and Dean appeared to have finished putting the kids to bed. Andy looked back at her, "You make me really happy. I should record you saying that, knowing that I'm going to irritate you some days at work."

Sharon shrugged, "I'll take it. I've got two great kids, am finally divorced, have a great job-a dream job now, and I have an amazing man in my life. I think things are really working out in our lives."

"You've influenced me so much," Andy said, leaning in to kiss her. "I owe you my life."

"Right back at you," Sharon said, a bight smile on her face. "Here's to the future."