Andy hurriedly left Chief Taylor's office without as much as another glance. He couldn't believe his ears when Sharon told the chief he was nothing but a colleague. Why the hell was she giving him mixed signals? For almost two years he thought they were starting to build their relationship… albeit slowly, they were picking up from where they left off years ago when they were both caught in a troubled marriage and both decided to try and work out their respective marital problems instead of pursuing a relationship.

Those smiles she kept giving him… the affectionate way she touches his face when they were in the privacy of the car… or having dinner after work. Her thoughtful, sweet gestures when they were free from prying eyes of the people, or did he just imagined them? Didn't her willingness to spend more time with him constituted to something more than business-like? What about her text messages at night-was he just reading something into those "Good night, Andy. Or Sleep Tight, Andy" nightly messages?

He thought they were on the same page… He thought there was something more. This was indestructible pain all over again. That night twenty years ago when they decided to remain friends, it was the most difficult decision he had ever made, and the most painful. He loved her but he chose to do the right thing and just workout his marriage. He clearly saw she was in as much impenetrable emotional turmoil as he was, and he didn't want to make it any harder for her, so he did not make her choose. He told her she would always have that special place in his heart. She cried as she held on to his hand, unable to let go. He told her he will always be there for her, but they both knew this was not feasible. To stay in touch was to tempt fate and render an absolute catastrophe to the fragile state of their respective marriages.

After their paths have crossed again, the past he had buried deep had resurfaced and he did his best to keep them buried. But it appeared she had other plans… though they often clashed right after that RED TAPE incident. They squabbled and forced each other's opinion down each other's throat. They just rubbed each other the wrong way. Then one day he was stabbed and thought he was dying… and so she thought either. When no one was about… as he lay in the hospital bed contemplating death, she appeared by his bedside and squeezed his hand… as compelling and emotional as the night they had parted ways. She leaned over to give him an overpowering chaste kiss on his lips as a single tear slid down her dainty cheeks and dropped to Andy's upper lip.

The kiss… the tear… was the overwhelming clincher that made him fought to survive.

"Hey, Flynn… wait up," Provenza yelled as he caught up with him.

"That witch… Is really starting to get to me how she leads you on. I'm sure she wore that provocative dress to seduce you and now she has the gall to say there is nothing between you. If I were you Id stop being Mr. Nice Guy and show her who's boss," said Provenza.

"Louie, please. Stay out of this," yelled Andy.

"So, what do you want me to do? Drag her kicking and screaming to my bedroom?!" cried Andy.

Provenza knew that Andy rarely calls him his first name and when he does, it is something serious.

"That's a thought. Just because she's the Captain doesn't mean she can just kiss you when she feels like it and then push you away when it's convenient. If you ask me, I'll cry sexual harassment just to get even," said Provenza angrily.

"She was not seducing me… everything that happened was really as innocent as I have explained. And I thought you said she's not into me," protested Andy.

"I changed my mind. That was before she bought that lipstick…"

"What lipstick for crying out loud?" yelled Andy.

"Remember that day when 2 young police officers from the other department Detectives Lareau and Jackson-friends of Amy, were flocking on Amy's desk and they were looking into this catalogue of beauty products, they were giggling and babbling, trying to decide which ones to get. You approached and asked what was that noise about? Then one of them asked you which lipstick shade do you think was the sexiest, you said, 'how would I know' but then pointed out the shade Vintage Red. Voila behold, within the next few days she was wearing that lipstick you pointed out. It's not a coincidence… she was there when you were talking to Sykes and her friends."

"How do you know it's the exact same thing? They all look the same to me." asked Andy uncertainly.

"Because I saw it. She was carrying it around. It was on her desk, and she applies it just before stepping out of the office for your movie date and she puts them some more just before we have a meeting."

"So what you're spying on her every move now, Provenza?! Leave her alone, Provenza. You don't know anything! "yelled Andy.

"Okay so you want to get hurt. You want to be made a fool of. Be my guest. Just don't go running to me when you fall hard and feel like seeking refuge on a bottle of whisky."

Andy walked down the noisy strip of Hollywood Blvd. He needed to some time alone to think and clear his head. He knew Provenza had a point but he couldn't bring himself to stop loving her. He can't very well force her to go faster in the relationship. Boisterous laughter and air of fun and excitement filled the atmosphere as he walked along the street filled with lights from different establishments in the area. It was a weeknight but young professionals, teen-agers, and middle-aged individuals all flock on every side of the street and filled the bars and restaurants on the strip with merriment.

He had been walking aimlessly for an hour when he found himself across the street from Jameson's Irish Pub where she and Sharon had gone a few times after a watching a game. Perhaps even his subconsciousness is bringing him to their place. The sound of his stomach reminded him he had not had dinner and considered going in even without Sharon.

He settled on the far end of the bar and ordered a Shirly Temple. The barista eyed him in amusement but said nothing.

"Hey, stranger. Do I know you from somewhere? Ah. Lt. Andy Flynn. The man of the hour. I thought it was you," said the blond in a short black and white sleeveless printed dress, seating on the stool beside Andy.

Andy raised an eyebrow in acknowledgement but did not invite her to join him.

"Hello, Atty. Rothman," he greeted.

His department was not really in good terms with Linda Rothman who often times represented the defense for high-profile cases, but he found no reason to be hostile as theirs was only a professional dispute.

"Glad you remembered me. Please. Call me, Linda," she said flashing him a seductive smile as she settled beside Andy.

"A Margarita, please," she told the bar tender before returning her attention back to Andy Flynn.

"Linda…I Listen, I'm moving to the empty booth. I'd better order some dinner," he said, not wanting any company.

Andy moved to the nearest empty booth and called for the waiter. To his surprise, Linda Rothman followed.

"Good idea. I haven't had dinner either. I just came out from the bar next door and saw you come this way."

Andy didn't reply, not wanting to encourage her to keep him company.

Andy placed his order of buffalo wings and mozzarella sticks, and Linda ordered a salad. She must be staying to keep him company.

"Tell me, why is the most celebrated cop today seated all alone in this Irish pub? Don't you know everyone is talking about you? The hero who caught the murderer of the famous actress' s older son and saved her two other young children from kidnappers. I heard there is a promotion in the offing for you to head Central."

"Well, you were misinformed. I'm not moving out of Major Crimes Unit. Besides, I was only doing my job. Nothing spectacular about it," said Andy before taking another gulp of his drink.

Linda eyed him with curiosity and interest. The men she usually met would brag about their achievements relentlessly but the handsome silver fox before her kept a low profile.

"You know, you really shouldn't underestimate your heroism. It inspired the people to trust law enforcement again… Look your interview is on tv again," said Linda.

Andy looked up on the monitor unimpressed.

It was on the news flash again. The telegenic Lieutenant was being interviewed by several reporters and was given a merit for closing the case in a timely manner. The people from the next table kept glancing from Andy to the television until they have recognized him as the honored cop.

Linda Rothman flashed them a big smile. "Yes, he's the cop on the news," she said loud enough for other tables to hear as well.

A huge applause engulfed the room and Flynn had no choice but to give them an acknowledging smile.

"I'm retiring in maybe eight years, I'm happy to spend my remaining years in Major Crimes," Andy told Linda.

"Eight years is still a long time. Don't you want to retire in a higher position? Run your own department? Captain Andy Flynn-sure has a nice sound to it," insisted Linda.

Andy smiled for the first time. "You remind me of someone equally ambitious."

"Who? An old girlfriend?" she flirted.

"Captain Raydor. You sure have a lot in common," said Andy with fondness.

Linda was puzzled. Why would he compare her to his boss out of nowhere, unless there were qualities in her that he found attractive.

"We also have our differences… for one, I'm younger," she smiled.

Andy shrugged and said nothing.

Their orders have arrived, and Andy took it as a way to avoid conversation, but Linda was relentless.

"Is that a Bloody Mary you're having? I've thought of you as the whisky type. How about I buy you a glass of Black Daniels," asked Linda, flipping her hair.

"It's a Shirly Temple. I can't have a drink," said Andy, flashing her his AA ring.

"Listen, Andy, why don't you take me to the policeman's ball so you can see if I really do have a lot in common with Sharon Raydor," she suggested playfully.

Andy was surprised by the suggestion. "Really, you want to go to a boring old party of police officers? I'm sure it's nothing as fancy as the parties thrown by the Lawyers Association."

"Come on, it will give us a chance to get to know each other. Get to know more about the LAPD. I'm sure it's going to be fun," smiled Linda.

Missing Andy and their constant dinner out brought Sharon to the Irish Pub they have last visited. She was not expecting to see Andy but she enjoyed going to the places they frequented. It somehow relaxes her and alleviates her longingness for him.

She stopped dead in her tracks as she caught sight of Andy's familiar silver hair and with him on the booth, flashing him a gorgeous, flirtatious smile was the insufferable Linda Rothman.

She felt her heart caught in her throat as a pang of jealousy swept over her being at the sight of Andy with another woman.

Relax, Sharon, he's doing nothing wrong, she scolded herself. They were only eating dinner. She debated whether to storm over to their table or to retreat back to her car, but then she remembered, she had just told him they were nothing but colleagues right in front of Taylor, then she had absolutely no right to act like a jealous girlfriend.