Entering the Major Crimes floor, Andy was looking forward to putting his thoughts aside and focus on something that was very true to him, his passion for work. Reaching the Murder Room, he saw nothing on the white board, Sharon's kids case having been erased earlier apparently. He was confused. How could it be closed while he didn't get any news from Jack's arrest?!
He could hear voices coming from the Chief's office.
- Good morning, Chief Johnson! he interrupted. Chief Pope… What's up? Have we finally caught Jack Raydor?
- Lieutenant Flynn! Please, come in. she seemed weirdly nice and inviting, something was definitely up.
- Thank you, Chief! So? Where's Jack? Interview room 1?
- Good morning Lieutenant! To answer your question, no, Mr Raydor isn't here, we're still clueless about his disappearance.
Chief Pope seemed awkwardly detached, giving away the information factually.
- Oh… then… why is the board blank? Our case isn't solved.
- Officially it is. You have to understand that we have limited budgets and this case has been open for 3 long months where we got absolutely no lead. We have to move on and take other cases.
- What are you talking about? It's not because we found the children that everyone's safe. He beat his wife, kidnapped his children and threatened to come back and kill them. What else do you need? We have to catch that creep!
- For 3 months, nothing has happened, no threat has been spotted and Captain Raydor is even back to work. We can no longer explain and justify financially all the expenses for a family that is now safe.
- Come on! It's always about the money, isn't it? But we're talking about people's lives for Christ's sake! So you'll take the risk to have anything happening to Shar… Captain Raydor and her children because of your shortcomings with money?!
- Lieutenant, those are orders from your superiors. That's not arguable, the decision has been made and the protection is being cleared as we speak.
- Is Captain Raydor aware of this?
- Yes, she's been informed earlier today. Now, Lieutenant, thank you for your concern. You can dismiss.
He had to get out of there before he'd lose his temper. His exchange with Pope had him craving for a drink. He was passionate about his work, sure, but this kind of decision just made him feel sick.
His blood was boiling. How could he accept to have her unprotected by the police after what she had gone through. The way he saw her that day, her bruises, scratches, her arm badly dislocated. He couldn't and wouldn't take that view again. She was so vulnerable and fragile that he wouldn't take any risk at letting her deal with this on her own.
He dialed her number as fast as possible. He wanted to make sure she was alright and safe, he'd sleep on the porch if needed but he had to do something.
She finally picked up but only to tell him off. She wouldn't be treated as a weak person and could take care of herself and her children on her own. That was Sharon as he remembered her so vividly. Damn, she was stubborn! He had the best intentions and yet she wouldn't accept his help. His reason claimed it was a very bad idea to take care of it himself but his heart wouldn't hear it. He had to do something, it was vital, even if it meant doing it without Sharon's or Pope's approval.
From that day on, Andy rearranged his working schedule and his family time to do her house's surveillance himself. He would take no risk.
- Hey pal! Wanna go grab something to eat after the shift? Provenza offered.
- Well, Nicole has been asking to watch a movie with me and we're planning on watching it tonight. Sorry, maybe some other time!
- Come on! Don't bullshit me like that! It's the third time this week that you refuse to come have a drink after work! What's going on?
- Nothing! I just happen to have a lot planned with Charlotte and the kids lately…
Despite his big efforts, Andy was a very bad liar and even worse in front of Provenza, his old pal, who knew him like the back of his hand.
- What are you up to? Are you cheating on Charlotte or something?
- What? Come on! Just leave me alone.
- Flynn, don't play me, I know you're up to something.
- Okay, you know what? I'm off!
- Yeah right, enjoy the movie!
- I will!
Someday, he'd need to accept an invitation from Provenza, or he'd see through him in no time. And God only knew how much he couldn't find out that how he was infatuated with Darth Raydor in person.
- Charlotte, I told you already! We caught a case and I've been stuck at work all these nights. I'm sorry for not being home earlier.
- Andy… it's difficult to raise two kids alone and I'm not supposed to be their only parent… They miss you!
- I'm sorry… I know you need me more… I'll do my best to come earlier next week!
He felt guilty for letting her down… again… but he couldn't bring himself to abort the mission he gave himself because he knew he'd never forgive himself if he did.
Tonight, she was out on her balcony, enjoying the view, the last rays of sunlight of a beautiful Spring day shining on her face. A harmonious time in the middle of chaos. Her anxiety had been challenging to deal with and especially high since she felt isolated and left behind by the L.A. Police. The last weeks made her stronger though, forcing her to deal with her own issues while being a rock shield for her babies who were still very traumatized by the recent events. Her house became their cave, she would avoid leaving their 4 walls at any cost. Basically, her life was now taking the children to school, going to work and coming back home before supper, finally dismissing the nanny who had been so roughly trained to defend herself and the children in case of danger. Her light schedule was the only thing she was able to negotiate.
She had stopped any kind of contact with him, not being able to deal with it on top of it all. The last words they had exchanged hadn't been very kind on her end. Their relationship was beyond her understanding therefore she was completely lost. She didn't know whether she could or not count on him, especially because she knew they were both married. She couldn't deal with his instability at the moment, one day feeling so close to him and the other not exchanging a single word. Sharon had never been so resilient about her life. She had to put up with what was now her life and didn't feel like fighting for anything else than for the safety of her children. Nothing else mattered anymore.
She was walking down the aisle, her father leading her towards him, the love of his life. She couldn't see his face yet, but she knew it was him. She could feel the love, feel the warmth of the church. The benches were wonderfully decorated with white hydrangeas, her favorite flowers. They always reminded her of her grandma she so loved. Everyone was there to celebrate their union. As she slowly reached the altar, she could see every guest, a wide smile on their face. Her heart felt whole again for the first time since her loss, she reflected.
In the first row, were her children Emily and Ricky both sat on her mother's laps. Her eyes lit up when she crossed a little girl's look. She was right next to her mom, looking her straight in the eyes. She was saying something but with the music playing and the crowd talking, it was hard to decipher. Suddenly, she understood, the little girl who was about 10 years old, was shouting "I love you, mum!". Her heart sank, was it really her? She could feel tears rolling down her cheeks.
She had finally reached the altar, exchanging her last words with her father who handed her to her other favorite man. Happy wouldn't describe half of what she was feeling at that precise moment. Weirdly, as her hand was getting closer to his, she started coughing hardly, struggling to find oxygen. She felt herself falling although he was trying to catch her before she reached the floor. She finally took his hand but he was slipping through her fingers though she was tightening him so strongly. She was calling his name desperately.
She jumped out of her sleep when she understood someone was poking at her.
- Mom, I can't breath, said Emily coughing.
Smoke, there was smoke in the air.
- Emily, where is your brother?
Adrenaline was rushing in her bloodstream. She had to act fast and had no time to figure out what was happening. Sharon had to leave the house as soon as possible.