"Where are you taking this hot date tonight, I mean besides your bedroom?" Provenza asked as the two pulled the car back into the parking garage. Andy threw a nasty glare toward Provenza and scowled at seeing his best friend grinning at him, waiting for details. It was the first week of April. Spring was in the air. The last six weeks had been busy, mostly with murders around the city, but that wasn't anything new for Andy and Provenza. As much as Andy tried to ignore his best friend, he couldn't.

"It's not like that, Provenza," Andy said through gritted teeth. "I just going to dinner with a friend."

"Sure you are, Flynn. Besides, when has a dinner with you and some woman NOT turned into you taking her home? I know you've been in a dry spell recently, so spill the details for tonight. You springing for a decent dinner somewhere, or is this girl the 'girls just want to have fun' type that could eat a fast food burger going through the drive-thru and will be all over you on the drive back to your place?"

"A friend!" Andy exclaimed. "She and I haven't caught up in a long time. It's Sharon, okay? You know that Sharon and I are friends. Her mom is in town, she's trying to avoid her, so we're going to catch up over dinner."

"Oh, that explains it," Provenza made a face and shook his head. "No explanation needed, Flynn. Why didn't you say so? Good grief, it isn't like a man in his right mind would jump into bed with that. I know she's your friend, but no thank you there. She'd probably have a list of rules or some contract she'd pull out before sleeping with someone. The thought," he shuddered.

Andy bit his lip, shook his head, and he turned away from Provenza to look out the window. Thankfully, Provenza was pulling the car into the parking spot because it was taking everything Andy had NOT to spill it all, to tell Provenza that he had it all wrong, that Sharon had been wonderful, that the two had had such a chemistry in the bedroom, he still thought about it, to tell him that Sharon was nothing like anyone could imagine, to tell him that if given the chance, he'd take Sharon to bed in a heartbeat, to tell him that being with Sharon had been better than any woman-even Sandra-had been, to tell him that he was going crazy but had not desire to take a random woman home, to-"

"Flynn!" Provenza said, and Andy looked around to realize the car was parked, and Provenza was ready to get out. "Earth to Flynn-speaking of your dry spell, how long has it been since you've taken a woman to bed? Flynn, you need to get back out there. Whatever happened to that lady of yours? You were hot and heavy before the holidays."

"Before that," Andy waved him off. "It ended before that. It's been-whatever Provenza, it's none of your business," he scowled.

"Humor me! I'm a married guy, stuck with a nagging wife," Provenza gestured. "I have to be able to live through you. I know you can't hit a bar, but let's get you out there, Flynn. Name the night, and I'll be your wingman. I could use a night out myself. This city is full of women desperate enough to sleep with your sorry self. What is the problem?"

"Nothing!" Andy yelled, now irritated. "How did we get to this? I'm going out to eat, to catch up with Sharon. She's been going through some tough times. Her dad died. I'm going to be a friend. She agreed to come along to Sandra's wedding, which as I've told you, will be a slap in the face for me to see my ex marry some dirtbag. I have plenty going on right now and don't need some girl in my bed."

"Now I know something is wrong," Provenza frowned and shook his head. "You've never turned down a woman with no strings attached."

"Maybe I'm just growing up, Provenza!" Andy snapped. "I've got my life together and am trying to get ahead, to do the right thing. Last thing I need is to slip back into desperation."

"Slipping into bed with a young, beautiful woman is not desperation, Flynn," Provenza pointed his finger at him.

"Maybe it is for me, now," Provenza. "Let's go," he said, opening the door and gesturing to the building. "Let's wrap the day because I'd like to get to my dinner with my friend."

"Even calling her your friend is unnerving, Flynn," Provenza said. "Had I not been in her house with my own eyes, I'd refuse to see her as a person. She's hated around here."

"Then, I guess you and I are two people who know her secret-that she's truly a kind and caring person. I'm really looking forward to my evening."

Three hours later, Andy sat outside of Sharon's office, waiting for her. It was almost 7:00, but she'd had to work later than expected. He didn't mind; he'd gotten some work done too, but 15 minutes ago, she'd called down to his office and said she was almost ready to go to their dinner. Now, here, Andy was waiting. The rest of her office had gone for the night, making him wonder if she'd purposely waited for that to occur, but he paused his thoughts when he heard her coming down the hall. She wasn't important enough-at least yet in his opinion because he knew one day she'd run the office-to have the big office in the department, but she did have her own. Most in FID did simply because they were usually dealing with sensitive matters. He'd waited outside of the main doors to FID, almost looking like he was in trouble, but he didn't feel right invading her personal office space. He smiled and widened his eyes at the sight of her.

"Wow, ahh, I didn't realize you were changing for dinner. You look great," he grinned, nodding at her. Sharon smoothed her hands over her jeans, a very different look here at the office from her normal skirt and pant suits. She had on a dark green blouse, something she might have worn with a suit, but he hadn't seen her earlier in the day to know if she'd changed entirely or just into jeans.

"I wanted to get out of my work clothing, and since we're just going out for a bite to eat, I decided jeans were perfect. I brought them from home this morning. I hope I didn't keep you waiting," she said with a sweet smile as she slung her purse over her shoulder.

"Not at all, and now, I feel overdressed," he chuckled.

She rolled her eyes, "You look perfect. You always look nice in suits, and I love the occasional suspenders," she grinned at him. "Those look more modern than the vests, if you want my opinion."

"Noted," he raised his finger in the air. "I dressed correctly then."

She rolled her eyes, "I just didn't want it to look like a dull business dinner, but anything else," she sighed and looked away before looking back to him, "I didn't want people to think it was a date or anything either."

"You look nice, Sharon, perfect," he admitted. "Let's eat."

The two followed each other to a spot Sharon had chosen. She'd told Andy it had been over a year since she'd been to the casual American-style bistro in a bustling shopping area about 20 minutes from the office, and both had agreed a good steak dinner sounded good. The two managed to find parking close by, with it being the middle of the week, the shopping area wasn't packed, and they walked toward the door.

"How are things with your mom?" Andy asked, hoping to start the conversation with a topic that would allow Sharon to get anything off her chest. She sighed loudly, and he couldn't help but chuckle. "That bad?"

"It's not that it's bad, exactly. It's more like, ahh, stressful," she nodded. "My mother hasn't been here to visit since before Ricky was born. As you know, the house isn't large. I gave her Emily's room to use and put the kids together in Ricky's room. The kids aren't sleeping well because they see it as a glorified slumber party. My mom keeps complaining about her bed, saying that Emily's bed is too soft for her back. I am really trying to be patient; she just lost her husband, but it's been stressful."

Andy opened the door for the two of them, and she nodded to him. They stepped inside, and they were seated quickly. After they were seated, Sharon picked up her menu, put it down, and Andy watched all of it, raising his eyebrow at her. She took a deep breath, "My mom and I have been ahh, shall we say, expressing our differences or our opinions. We've been arguing some too. I'm sorry; I don't to ruin dinner," she said waving her hand in the air. Andy leaned forward and winked at her.

"I'm here to listen. I promise if you unload on me, I'll unload on you. I've got plenty myself. I've got all evening," he gestured spreading his hands wide. I think we can almost have a competition to see who has more to complain about tonight, huh? So, let's hear it."

The waitress arrived, putting any conversation on hold, and both decided to order an iced tea. Sharon had thought about wine, but she didn't want to cause any issues with Andy and instead, opted for the tea. It was pretty clear they might switch to coffee later, but for now, they had plenty of talking to do over dinner. The two started looking at their menus after she left, and finally, Sharon closed hers while Andy was still looking at his. He eyed her over his menu.

"What are you getting?" Andy asked.

Sharon pursed her lips, " A burger. I've been craving a burger with onion rings. I haven't had a good one in a long time. Get whatever you like, though. I'm paying, remember?"

"I gotcha," Andy waved his hand and continued to look at the menu. He snapped his closed a second later and put it down. Sharon watched, eyeing him this time. He flashed a smirk.

"You kept talking up the steaks here, and then you don't get one," he told her.

She nodded, "I saw the burger, covered with tomatoes, mayo-all the things I like, and it just sounds perfect. Are you getting a steak?"

"I am," he said with a single nod. "Ribeye with the baked potato."

Sharon hid a small smile and gave a nod, "Good, glad you are getting a steak." The two were about to start talking again-Sharon opened her mouth to speak, but the waitress stopped by the table to deliver their drinks and take their order. When she left, Sharon sat back, crossed her arms, and she let out a long sigh.

"It's good to be out of the house. I love the kids, but they've been driving me crazy. I'm sure some of it has to do with my mom here."

"When does she go home?" Andy asked, sipping his drink.

"A week from today," Sharon nodded as she answered. "That means I get one more week of lectures from her about what I'm not doing in life. I'm torn," she frowned and put her hands around her glass. "My mom constantly tells me I'm wasting my time here in California. She says that the only good thing that has come from my living here would be the kids, but then, she follows that with a rant about Jack, about how I'm a divorced Catholic struggling to get by. She wants me to move to Florida where I'd be closer to her. As much as I have no desire to do that, I also struggle seeing myself stay here, struggling just to make ends meet. Nothing feels right. Staying and struggling the rest of my life isn't appealing, but I have a job, the kids are settled, and I cannot, for certain, take living close to my mom, at least how she wants. She said she'd help with the kids, but honestly, I feel like it would be a daily lecture on how I should be raising them while she tries to set me up with any man who comes across her path."

Andy chuckled lightly as he just let Sharon talk. He understood; he really understood. His mind started to wander to his own problems while the two settled into silence. When he glanced toward her, she was looking at him. He put his hand up.

"Sorry, I really was listening," he told her.

"I know," she said quietly as she reached for her drink. "Thank you for that."

"It's just that, you saying about staying here-it is just, well, I've had the same sort of thoughts. I mean," he shrugged, "I don't have a nagging mom putting ideas in my head, but I do have an impossible ex taking away my kids. As much as I don't want to follow her, and have said I won't do that, I have had ideas about moving closer to the kids. Same boat here-why stay? LA has been my home, but part of my home-my kids-are leaving. It's not like they are 16 and going off to college in a couple years. I'm going to miss out on being their parent."

Sharon nodded, the two finding that they were having a lot of the same thoughts even though their lives were very different. She gave a nod to him, encouraging him to continue, "How are things with the kids?"

"I hate seeing them packing up the house," he frowned. "I'm still seeing them for my scheduled weekends. I don't know what to do going forward. I mean, I don't want to bounce the kids back and forth, but I want to see them. I'm really torn about the right thing to do. I want to be their dad, but I won't live near them. I'm not sure that a few holidays and a couple weeks in the summer makes me a dad."

"Andy," Sharon said softly with a sympathetic look on her face as she sat forward and folded her hands on the table, "you're always their dad, no matter what. The fact you care says a lot. I'm sure you will figure it out. Time with them at holidays and in the summer isn't perfect, but you will make the most of it. Maybe you will be able to visit more than you think. You never know what the future will hold."

"True," he sighed. "I don't own a house, nothing to hold me here. I just don't know."

"I do own a house-one that is falling apart, and while my kids have a great school and also our church here, is it enough? I don't make the kind of money I need to really get ahead. You understand that too. I just don't know what to do either, but I cannot think that moving closer to my mom is the answer."

"You said she's hassling you a lot too?" Andy eyed her. Sharon nodded.

"I can't win," she shrugged. "I should have a husband, according to her, but divorced Catholics don't date. How the two are supposed to happen," she chuckled quietly. "Let's just say she's not happy with anything I do."

"Let me ask you this-" Andy looked to her, his eyes meeting hers. "You tell her about, us, you know?"

Their food arrived at that moment, Sharon's eyes still locked with Andy's. They didn't as much glance at their plates, and both just gave a nod to the waitress before she left the table. The two were silent. Sharon finally let out her breath.

"She knows, and I'd prefer to not go into that right now. I don't want you to get the impression I tell her much, but there is a story. Please," she pleaded.

"Okay," he said, his eyebrows tight as he tried to understand. "Sure, ahh, this steak looks good," he said, changing the subject. Sharon finally looked to her plate, the tense moment easing slightly.

The rest of their meal went smoothly; the conversation moved to much lighter topics. The two were even laughing by the end, sharing some funny work stories. When the check came, Sharon jumped at it to pay. Andy just sighed and shook his head at her. She shrugged, and when they were about ready to leave, Andy nodded at her.

"Thanks for dinner. I don't want to keep you," he told her.

"Are you kidding?" Sharon smiled. "This has been nice. You aren't keeping me, and in fact," she looked at her watch, "my kids should be asleep, and hopefully, my mom is not far behind. I'm not looking forward to the grand inquisition when I get home. Look," she eyed him again, "there are things-I mean, I'd like to keep talking. Can we maybe get coffee and somewhere to talk?"

Andy gave her a soft smile, "I think that sounds like a good plan."

The two agreed to meet at a local beach, where, by this time of the evening, things would be quiet. While it was April, there was still a chill in the air, making it too cold to sit out or walk, but Andy had suggested just sitting there by the beach, windows cracked, to listen to the water and enjoy the calm and quietness of things. Sharon had agreed, and she was already there, waiting. Andy had offered to stop and pick up coffee, "I'll get the best coffee around, promise," he'd told her as they'd left the restaurant. Being cops, she felt like it would be a decent cup. Neither had voted for decaf; it wasn't like either was sleeping well. She didn't mind the caffeine, but as she waited and listened to the waves, she realized this was the perfect place to talk.

He knocked on her window, and she unlocked the doors for him.

"Excuse me, Ma'am," he joked as he winked and handed her the cup, "license and registration."

Sharon burst out laughing as she accepted the coffee, and Andy slid into the passenger seat to sit, "Go ahead and try, detective. I know people. Thank you for the coffee."

"Sure," he said, blowing on his cup, "beautiful night out here. Not a soul around either."

"Hmm, yes, and this is a reason I don't want to leave; I love the weather and nights like this by the water," she told him. They grew silent again, sipping on their hot coffee. Finally, Sharon broke the silence.

"Andy, I wanted to explain a comment earlier, about my mom, I mean, you asked if she-" Sharon stuttered, trying to find her words.

"Yeah," he added when she couldn't say it, "I asked you if she knew we'd slept together. You said yes."

"She doesn't know you," Sharon shook her head. "She knows there was someone. It came about in a way," she frowned and started to tear up. "I thought I could do this, and now I'm not sure."

"Okay," he said, shifting more so he could face her. "Sharon, look you don't owe me anything."

"I do," she said, the tears now flowing. "I do, and I need to tell you this."

"Okay," Andy said, now clearly confused as to what he'd said or did that now had Sharon crying. She wiped her eyes and took a deep breath.

"I'm not sure where to start," she said, again taking another breath. "Okay, when I was in Florida dealing with everything with my dad, the kids, my mom, all of it, I slept with someone there, a guy, a guy who has helped with my parents for years. I only knew him from other trips. My parents have hired him to do all kinds of odd jobs. I was worried about my dad. I'd been at the hospital with him all night. My mom had the kids. I'd sent her home to sleep overnight with them. She'd taken them to the park and for groceries when I came in from the hospital one morning. Dad was sleeping and wasn't doing well. I felt so guilty about leaving him even to run home and change. Anyway, Josh, that's his name-he's probably a couple years younger than me-he saw me walking into my parent's place as he walked up the driveway, bringing a casserole one of the neighbors had asked him to bring over. He came inside, we got to talking, and it just happened-that quickly. For someone who has been so guarded, I guess I just needed it, need that right then. It was over as quickly as it started; we barely made it down the hall, and the entire time I was freaking out, thinking my mom would be back and see the trail of clothing. It was stupid. I guess letting my guard down here with you opened my mind to a lot, and I'm sorry. I wanted to tell you, but I didn't know where to start."

Andy listened. He frowned, though, knowing Sharon didn't owe him anything. When she finished, he just nodded. Finally, he said, "Okay, but Sharon, you don't owe me anything, especially an explanation. As we'd both said, we weren't together, just having fun. I'm not judging you, and bottom line-we're not together. I've looked at my share of women, slept with plenty too over the years. Is that what's been eating you up now for what, like seven months and why you've put the breaks on the two of us sleeping together?"

"Yes," Sharon said, wiping her face, "I mean, yes and no. I mean, there's more I want to say."

"I'm just trying to figure out how your mom knows all this? So, did she walk in on you two?" Andy asked.

"There's more to the story; there's always more, and I should probably tell you everything," Sharon said, letting out her breath again. "Florida was a mess for me on so many levels."