She took Emily in her arms and ran to the kids' room where she found Ricky crying on his bed. She took him into her arms too, her strength being multiplied. She rushed to the bathroom to wet two pieces of fabric, putting them on her children's mouth and nose, so that they wouldn't inhale anymore smoke. Rushing downstairs, the flames were already blocking their way. She was mumbling reassuring words to her babies, trying to think fast of what she could do to escape the fire. The fire extinguisher was in the kitchen, now unreachable. She ran back upstairs. She locked them three in her bedroom and placed a wet cloth under the door to stop the smoke from filling the room. She emptied the drawers of her nightstands, but nothing useful. Nothing helpful in her private bathroom either.

Her only chance was now to jump out of the window, but how would she do it so that all of them would survive the fall?!

Outside the room, she could hear the flames getting closer. Glass was breaking everywhere. She took the sheets out and started shaping them into a rope. She tied the sheets between them to make the rope as long as possible. It was her last chance.

Andy was running late this evening. His wife wouldn't buy anymore of his lies and Provenza neither because he would give him more and more paperwork to deal with at the end of the day. He was probably trying to stop him from cheating on Charlotte while actually he was doing something way more important than that. It was the end of the week, and of course, the amount of papers to fill in was huge. He kept checking on the clock, damn it why couldn't he get rid of all this quicklier.

- Almost done? You've been working on these for ages Flynn! Provenza couldn't help but sting his oldest pal.

- And whose fault is that? he was angry and frustrated, he needed to head to Sharon's place, it was getting really late and he wouldn't take any risks.

- Are you expected anywhere Cinderella? You've been checking on the clock every two seconds…

- Damn Louie! What are you getting at? Yes, I'm supposed to be somewhere else but it's not what you think! Andy felt like he wouldn't be able to lie any longer or he wouldn't be able to protect her anymore.

- Yeah yeah, that's what they all say! What are you doing then? Messing up with your marriage again, you can't keep away from those young ladies!

- Come on! You can't believe in me, can you? Provenza was really hurting him now.

- Well I would if you told me the truth! You've been lying to me for weeks!

- Okay fine! … I will tell you the truth but you need to promise me that you'll keep quiet about this…

- Shoot! Said Louie, way too impatient to wait any other second.

- I've been doing Sharon's house surveillance… ever since Pope decided not to protect them anymore…

- What the hell?! Why would you care so much about her safety?

- Well, her two young children were kidnapped by their own father and she's now on her own… anyone would care about them… don't you?

- I mean, yeah, but not that bad… I mean what about your own family?! Your relationship with your wife and your kids hasn't been so good for a while now and you're taking all your time off for the Captain… That makes no sense! Unless…

- Unless nothing, you're just heartless! And Charlotte and I are totally okay. Now let me finish this so that I can finally go.

One more hour of sweat over that dang paperwork and he was finally out. Andy drove as fast as he could through town so that he'd reach her house as soon as possible. He knew he had to watch from afar because she wouldn't have his help. Nonetheless, he felt like he was failing her. It was soon past 11pm. He was so mad at Provenza.

While rushing, he heard the radio going crazy. He rose the volume, curious about what could be awakening the Police Departments that late. Hopefully not a new case… Thank god, they were reporting a fire in a house from Los Angeles neighborhood. He was relieved, thinking he would then be free to protect Sharon's house all night… until he realized they had just mentioned her address on the radio.

Oh god, she was in danger and he wasn't there to help her… he turned on the siren and stepped on the gas like never before. He was a few minutes away now. His heart was beating so fast he was afraid of it dropping out of his chest. What if it was too late to get her out of the flames? He couldn't fail her again… how would he live with that? More important, how would he live without her?

- Emily honey, you will go down first. Mummy's got you okay! Nothing will happen to you I promise.

She was holding onto her daughter for dear life, trying to reassure her as much as she could.

- Momma, I'm so scared! Emily was crying hard barely able to breath as the smoke was almost blinding them.

- Baby I promise, everything's gonna be fine! Do you trust me?

- Yes.. but… she was in total distress.

- Then, believe me you're gonna make it honey! You'll go first and then I'll go down holding your brother, he's too young to go down by himself.

The sirens could be heard from afar.

- Do you hear this Emily? Help is coming for us! Now just start going down and keep looking at me. I promise you're gonna be fine baby.

She did everything she could to seem reassuring and calm but her impassive mode wouldn't work. Emily finally started going down, not leaving her mother's eyes for a second, scared to the chore.

- You're doing good baby! You're almost there! Just one more stretch and you're on the ground!

Emily was finally safe. The worst part was still ahead though, she would have to go down holding Ricky and hoping for the improvised rope to be strong enough to support both of their weights.

- That's wonderful baby! You're on safe ground now! You did it!

- I'm scared mom, come down quickly…

- I'm on my way honey, step away from the house so you don't get hurt. I'll be right with you!

She took Ricky in his arms whose fear could be felt miles away. Her heart ached for her children who she couldn't reassure properly because of her own panic. She had to save them, she had to be strong.

- Ricky honey, we're gonna go down together. Momma's got you, don't worry. Tighten your arms around my neck and don't let me go, can you do that?

- Yes, Momma. Ricky managed to say through his tears.

- Very good, you're such a big boy! I'm so proud of you.

Sharon was focused. She needed to move carefully so that the sheets would carry their weight. The flames had now invaded her bedroom, burning the door frame and the wardrobe. She had to be down by the time the sheet would catch fire. She was at armlength of the edge of the window. Moving slowly and measuring her movements. She had Ricky in her left arm while her right hand was holding the sheet. Her shoulder was hurting but she would never ever release that sheet for the sake of her boy. She felt herself dropped a bit. They were still about 15 feet from the ground. She wouldn't dare to jump just yet, they were too high for her boy to be absolutely safe. She was letting the panic invade her because her thoughts were confusing her and she didn't know what to do. She had barely a few seconds to act and she was stuck. The fire fighters were close though still too far to help her out.

- Sharon! he shouted as loud as he could. Sharon!

- Andy? a small light in her voice.

- Sharon! Oh my god! Are you okay?! he was clearly panicking but he was so glad it wasn't too late.

- Yes but the sheets are gonna break soon, Andy!

- Okay Sharon, don't panic, I'm here now! I'm gonna help you and everything's gonna be alright!

- Andy, quick! I can feel the sheet is letting go…

- Okay, drop Ricky, I promise I'll catch him! Come on, Sharon you can do this!

- Are you sure you can catch him?

- Absolutely, you can trust me on this, I'm here!

She was hesitant but she knew she couldn't get out of this by herself. And she wouldn't take the risk when her child's life was in line.

- Okay baby, you heard Andy? He's right under you. You can let mommy's neck go and he'll catch you. Ready? she was so scared but she had to trust Andy, after all she knew him, he would do his best and he was a strong man.

- Mommy, no! I'm scared, I don't wanna jump!

- Baby, you have to, listen to me, you have to be a brave boy and trust Andy. He's gonna catch you I promise. Now I'll keep your hand in mine and slowly get you down so that Andy can catch you. Come on honey. Andy ready?

- Ready. Come on, I got you son!

The movements were so slow it felt like eternity. Ricky was getting closer to Andy whose arms were up in the air, ready to get him.

- I got him! Your turn, Sharon! Come on, you gotta jump!

Sharon was dangling in space, so glad her son was safe. On her end, she'd been better. Her shoulder was hurting her more than she could express. It truly felt like someone was tearing her arm apart. She was sweating with the adrenaline and the heat she was getting from the fire right above her head. The flames had now eaten all the rooms of her dear house. Looking down at Andy, she couldn't manage to release the sheets and let herself fall.

- Sharon! Come on, we don't have much time left! Please, jump!

- Andy! I… I can't…

- Sharon, honey! Listen to me, I'm here! I know I've failed you so many times but I'm here now! I can swear on my own life, I'm gonna catch you and everything will be alright honey! he was shouting from his heart, forgetting about the children and what they might hear. He would save her even if he had to die in exchange and couldn't help from being more honest than he should.

She heard the sheet crack.

- Andy…

- Yes, sweetheart, I'm here! Now come to me, I'll catch you!

She was finally reasoning herself, slowly preparing to let go of the rope. A furnace emanated from the bedroom above her head and the whole house exploded. The glass broke to her face and various objects were now flying out of the window into the air. She put her arms in front of her face to protect herself and dropped the sheet in a sudden move. She felt herself fall in space, not feeling anything catching her for what seemed like minutes. She felt ridiculous when she realized she was shouting his name, desperately wanting for him to catch her. For a split second, nothing was complicated anymore, she just wanted him, wanted to feel his protective arms around her and wouldn't let anything get between them anymore. He had just saved her son and was there to save her as well, why would it be complicated after all? She craved him, a family life with him and no one else.