AN: First of all a huge thanks to everyone who is still reading this and leaving me these wonderful reviews. They make my day! Thank you for the support you are showing me.
As promised another chapter. Thanks to the fabulous beta work of glistening sun, all of the last chapters of part two are now awaiting their final editing.
Rated M like always.
Chapter thirty six
For the last days, Andy hadn't left her side. Only when her parents came to visit, would he walk out for a while, eat something. But now the word was out that she had survived her ordeal, he was more tentative to leave her alone. She was sure he had paced the hallway yesterday, after her mom had come to visit her.
She wished he wouldn't worry so much about her. His worry seemed to rub off on her mother as well. She was scared about what Landry could still do to her. As long as he wasn't sitting in a jail cell he could still pose a threat to her.
If it would have been up to Andy they would have already hauled him in, question Landry until he would break. That wasn't the way to go though and she was glad their Commander agreed with her. Landry would only lawyer up and get out on bail. It would give him time to get rid of any evidence there might still be, any witnesses who knew about what he had been up to for all those years.
Her testimony alone wasn't enough. You should think it was, but the law didn't work that way. It wasn't all black and white. There were a lot of grey areas and people like Landry knew exactly how to take advantage of that.
Andy's cheeks flushed as his stomach began to protest. Usually around this time he would go out for a quick dinner in the cafeteria. Her mom hadn't arrived yet though. He didn't like leaving her alone with just her mom sitting at her bedside either. A guy like Landry wouldn't feel bothered by her mom.
"You should go, get something to eat."
"I'm fine."
"Your stomach says something else."
Sharon smiled at him, she had been very patient with him these past days. Hadn't complained even once about him hovering over her with his protective nature. Andy was sure it was driving her up the walls by now, being in that hospital bed, in that room, never being alone.
"Go on, you need to eat to stay all strong to be my protector."
Humor filled her voice, her eyes sparkled with amusement, as she chuckled.
"I know… I just don't like leaving you."
"I'll be fine."
How much longer would she accept him smothering her with his protectiveness? He knew how much Sharon liked her independence. She had her limits too. He looked at the clock, her mom would arrive any minute now. He would probably even meet her in the hallway. Sharon would feel like he would give her some breathing space and that would give him the opportunity to press his protection on her just a little bit longer. She nodded encouragingly, so he squeezed her hand and walked towards the door.
"You want me to bring you something? Cafeteria food is definitely better than that crap they've been putting in front of you."
"Do they have salads?"
"That green stuff's not gonna help, you're still too skinny. Should get some Italian food into you."
Sharon smiled. He'd been there for her day in, day out. Nursing her, pampering her. Andy was such a good friend to her.
"See you in a little while."
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Flynn had lived up to his reputation. He had found her and alive on top of that. Why did she have to be so tough? That damn tenacity she used to bite herself into his business, must have been what kept her alive too. Any other normal human being would have died in that time, but not her. In fact she was in the hospital and she would be alright. Why couldn't he just get that nosy bitch off his back?
At least she hadn't talked. Someone would have brought him in for questioning then. Not that they could prove anything. Flynn didn't need any proof. If she had said anything about him, the man already would be on his back.
So why hadn't she said anything? Maybe she didn't remember? Maybe she wasn't in a very good condition after all. How could she have been? Maybe they hadn't even been able to question her.
For days he had wondered what to do. Should he go to the hospital? See how she was doing himself? But what if she didn't remember what happened? That would only make him suspicious. It wasn't like the entire department was visiting her at the hospital, like they would with one of their male colleagues. What if she would suddenly remember, if she'd see him?
But what if she remembered? And just hadn't talked yet. He could remind her to better keep quiet if she knew what was good for her.
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Andy couldn't help the anxiety he felt in the pit of his stomach. The knowledge that Landry could show up in her hospital room whenever he pleased made him want to never leave her. He knew Sharon was keeping up a brave face, but this ordeal had affected her more than she let anyone believe.
She had been locked up in a trunk, had believed she would die. Andy knew at one moment she had given up and believed it would be easier to let go. Sharon had been ready to die when he found her. He still couldn't grasp how close he had come to losing her forever.
In the meantime Sharon was keeping up a brave face for everyone around her. She wouldn't show her parents how scared she must have been. How hungry she had been. In how much pain. Her father must know, but she wouldn't let it come from her mouth. It seemed like Sharon just tried to move on. He knew she was already becoming restless. She wanted to get out of that hospital room. The only reason why she hadn't asked her father yet was because she didn't want to worry her parents even more. He knew that if they would let her out of that hospital, it would only be a matter of time before she would be at the station again, wanting to participate in the investigation of Landry. That was the last thing he wanted. She wasn't up to that. Andy didn't want her anywhere near Landry or on active duty again. He didn't want to think about her being in the line of fire. Accidents happened. Landry had too many friends within the department.
He knew he couldn't keep Sharon from going back to work though. She was too stubborn, too independent. He was her friend, but she wouldn't let him tell her what to do. Andy wasn't even sure whether he wanted her to meekly listen to him. He respected her independence. Sharon wasn't a child, she was a grown woman. She was a police officer. She had gone to the Academy just like him and any other cop. Andy had seen her in action, she wasn't a weak puppet who needed protection. What happened to Sharon could have happened to him as well. Landry had caught her in an unguarded moment. The only reason why Landry had gone through so much trouble was because he felt threatened by her.
Andy looked at the salad in his hand. A smile curling on his lips because he knew it was Sharon's favorite. He liked to indulge her with these little things. He liked to bring her pleasure. Although he would probably insist that she try some of his pasta as well. Sharon was still too skinny in his opinion. He wondered how long they could manage to keep her in the hospital though. It wasn't anything life threatening. Scans showed that the fracture in her skull was healing well. All her organs were functioning the way they should. Yes, she would need some rest, and not overdo things, but Sharon could get that at home as well.
Her going home added to his worries. It wasn't like he could ask her to move in with her ,for how long it would take to catch Landry. Here in the hospital he could camp inside her room twenty-four/seven without questions asked. At home Sharon would be all alone though. At home, where Landry took her the last time.
He doubted she would stay at her parent's house for the time being. Knowing Sharon she would insist on going home by herself. Andy didn't even want to think about that yet.
His heart beat faster as he heard Sharon's voice.
"NO…. NO…."
Sharon. She was all alone in that room. She was on her own if Landry would come for her. He should have never left her alone, no matter how much she had pressured him.
Andy quickened his pace and ran the last few steps towards her room. His heart beating in his throat as he opened the door. His eyes quickly scanning the room for an intruder, for Landry. It took him a few seconds before his raging heart calmed down and he realized no one was there. Sharon was tossing and turning in her bed, she must have dozed off after he walked to the cafeteria to get them something to eat.
Andy put dinner down on the tray beside her bed before he sat down on it. Reaching out for Sharon so he could calm her and gently wake her up.
"Sharon? Hon? … Sssh, wake up … You're having a nightmare … wake up."
Andy rubbed her arm and as she opened her eyes, he saw all the fear she must have felt while she had been locked up in that trunk. Would she ever have a good night's sleep again? Andy was used to her waking up in the middle of the night screaming. Sharon would never talk about her dreams, but he could imagine Landry played a large part in them.
Empathic eyes stared at her while her whole body trembled in the aftershock of her nightmare. Sharon tried to control her breathing ,while Andy gently stroked her hair. He looked so worried at her. That was what she had been so desperate to avoid. Sharon didn't want people worrying about her. Not her parents, and not Andy either. They had already worried enough. She couldn't keep it from Andy though. No matter how hard she tried to build up that brick wall around her, put on that mask, in front of Andy she couldn't stop it from crumbling. She didn't know why that was. She only knew that looking into his eyes right now made her own tear up.
Andy saw the tears in her eyes and that tore him apart. He knew how desperate she must be trying to keep herself together. With an encouraging, but sad smile on his lips he took her face in both of his hands.
"It's okay, hon… it was just a bad dream."
A bad dream, if only it had been just that. It had been real. Landry had come for her, he had felt threatened by her and hadn't hesitated to get her out of the way. She had been in the trunk of that car for real, without food, without water, and she had nearly died. It had all happened and somehow she would have to find a way to deal with that.
Andy gently wiped away the tears that were slowly rolling down her cheeks. His thumbs soft in their caress.
"Hey, it's okay…"
All of a sudden she felt so overwhelmed, so panicked, even more than when she had been locked up in that trunk. Landry had been there in her dream. He'd been right in her room. Telling her to better keep her mouth shut or he would shut it for her forever. This time Landry wouldn't make any mistakes, he would make her disappear forever. It had seemed so real. Maybe because it so easily could become real. She wasn't safe for as long as that man was walking around free. Landry had risked a lot taking her and locking her up in that car trunk. Why would he give up now? He had even more to lose now.
Andy was surprised when Sharon threw herself into his arms and he felt her body tremble against his chest. Her hands clutching his shirt in her fists, holding on for dear life. Slowly he wrapped his arms around her, a worried frown between his eyebrows. She had had nightmares before, but she had never been this out of it afterwards. Gently he stroked her hair hoping to calm her down.
"It's okay, I'm here, you're safe.."
"He was here…."
Andy backed away from her so he could look her in her eyes, all she saw was shock and how he had misinterpreted her words.
"I dreamed about Landry coming here."
Sharon saw his features relax. Stroking her cheek looking compassionate, as if he could feel her distress.
"I shouldn't have left you alone."
"So will it be like this forever? I can never be alone again? Should I always look over my shoulder? Be afraid that one day Landry will come for me and end what he started?"
"No…"
"I want to go home, I want to do my job, I want to continue my life, I don't want to feel like a prisoner anymore, Andy."
"We're going to catch him, we're working on it. It will all be okay."
He saw the doubt in her eyes, her frustration close to the surface.
"Hon, I know you want to just move on. I know you want to be on your own again, but this guy is dangerous. We'll catch him, but you need to be patient."
Sharon snuggled back into his arms, this time no longer holding on for dear life, just seeking his warmth, strength and comfort.
"I was scared and it was only a dream….What if I walk into him at the station?"
"It is okay to be scared, hon. You went through a lot."
"I should have fought him off. I should have found a way to escape…"
"You did all you could."
"I wasn't strong enough. What kind of a cop am I?"
"A damn good one. Landry went after you because he is scared of you, of what you could do to him. You are so strong, you managed to hold on a lot longer than anyone thought even possible. You did very well."
Mark stopped for a moment as he walked in. Sharon was in Andy's arms and it looked like he was comforting her.
"Is everything alright?"
When she heard her father's voice Sharon pulled herself away from Andy. She desperately tried to smile, put on a brave face. Andy brushed away some of her remaining tears.
"Hm-mm"
His daughter wasn't very convincing, her eyes were red rimmed from crying. She wasn't the crying kind, not one to show her emotions easily. She always smiled them away. Build up this brick wall around her to keep everything out and everyone at bay. No matter what Sharon said or wanted to make him believe, she was not alright. So Mark looked at Andy.
"It was just a bad dream."
The pain was visible in his grey eyes, as he crossed the distance towards her bed so he could stroke her hair, give her a kiss on top of her head. He could imagine what her nightmares were about.
"Darling he can't hurt you anymore. It's over."
It wasn't over. It wouldn't be over. Not before Landry was arrested and they were still far from that. She wished she could know for sure she was protected, that Landry couldn't get to her and finish his job.
Mark looked down at her and smiled. Maybe there was a way to put a smile back on her face.
"I have good news…"
Sharon looked at the medical report Mark was holding in his hands.
"This says you're doing just fine."
"Can I go home?"
Mark heard the upbeat sound in his daughter's voice. He knew that would cheer her up. He wasn't quite comfortable about releasing her, but he couldn't keep her in the hospital forever. The last scans showed her fracture was healing well. Sharon could gain some more weight, but her body had recovered enough. Her kidney's were working fine. There was no reason to keep her there longer. She could gain weight and strength at home as well.
He wished she would come home with Diane and him, spend a few weeks there so she wouldn't be alone, but Mark knew his daughter. She was too independent.
"Yes you may go home as long as you'll promise you will take it easy. Be a good girl and rest."
"I will."
Mark smiled as she was so fast in her answer. He doubted she would, but she'd be fine. Sharon was an adult and she knew how to take care of herself. It would be no use to keep her there longer than necessary. It would only frustrate her.
"I really will."
"It's alright. I'll go make sure we can get your release papers drawn up."
"Thank you, daddy."
He cupped her chin and gave her a kiss on her forehead.
"Will you go home, or would you rather stay with your mom and me?"
Mark saw she was feeling a bit uneasy. He knew she wouldn't want to hurt his feelings.
"Daddy…"
"It's okay, I understand … I'll go see how soon we can get you out of here."
Mark smiled and turned to leave the room.
Andy looked at her. He had the same unease in his eyes her father had. They were both worried about her and she couldn't even blame them. Andy had been with her twenty-four/seven. She was sure he was panicking right now, trying to figure out how he was going to protect her when she would be at home, alone.
Sharon half expected him to tell her he would go with her, play her personal body guard, until Landry was caught. She wasn't even sure whether she could deny him that, could deny her parents that. They would sleep a lot easier at night if they knew Andy would be taking care of her, keeping her safe. She had seen the worry in his eyes. How could she deny them that after everything she had put them through.
"It's gonna be okay, hon, we're gonna catch him and you are going to continue your life and move on."
"I hope we can catch him on something.. anything. "
"It will be alright."
He sounded so sure. She knew about Andy's determination. He didn't abide the rules, to get what he wanted. If breaking some rules would mean he could arrest Landry, Andy would. He knew what he was fighting for was right. If Andy said it would all be alright, then it would be. She didn't want to think about the measures he would use to do so. She surely didn't want him to risk his job for her, but she knew there wasn't anything she could say, or do to stop him from doing things his way. He cared enough about her to do whatever he had to do. It was new to her to meet someone who behaved so selflessly. Jack had never done that. He had always thought about how things would influence his life. Andy didn't think about that at all. He thought about their friendship, about everything Landry did to her, about her safety. She was so lucky to have him in her life.