A/N Tag to episode 5.02 N.S.F.W
Captain Sharon Raydor leaned back in her desk chair, pinching the bridge of her nose. The headache that had been building all day was beginning to get the better of her. A soft knock drew her attention to her open doorway, "Captain, we have everything setup and ready for tomorrow morning. Is there anything else you need before I send everyone home for the night."
"No, Lieutenant. Thank you."
Louie Provenza studied his Captain for a moment, "Everything okay?"
She smiled, reaching for her glasses, she quickly slipped them back on. "Fine. Have a good night, Lieutenant." Provenza paused, wanting to ask why Sharon Beck paid her a visit, but he decided now wasn't the time. After all he could find out the details from Flynn later.
"Goodnight Captain." Provenza had barely made it back to his desk before he noticed Andy quietly stepping into the Captain's office. Shaking his head with a hidden smile, the word idiots sounded loudly in his mind.
Andy leaned against the doorway of Sharon's office, silently watching her. After several moments she slowly looked up. "Yes?" She drawled softly.
"So what did Rusty's bio-mom want this time?" Andy asked as he stepped closer.
Sharon looked up at him, over the top of her glasses, the irritation evident on her face. "I don't want to talk about Sharon Beck, not here…not right now." She removed her glasses again, carefully rubbing her hand over her eyes as not to mess up her makeup.
Andy moved to the side of her desk, "You okay?"
"Hmm." She turned in her chair, moving to stand next to him. "Just a headache. I'm fine." She reached out to fiddle with the edge of his tie, smoothing the pale blue plaid with her finger tips.
"You want me to drive you home?"
She placed her hand flat on the center of his chest, while his hand wandered to her left hip, "No, I'm fine. You go to your meeting and then I will see you at home?" Her eyes met his in question.
"You sure?"
She gently patted his chest, "Yes, I'm sure." With a gentle squeeze of her hip, Andy nodded. He turned, pausing just outside her door to look back, studying the woman he loved so dearly. The visit from Sharon Beck was weighing heavily on her, of that he was certain.
~~~~~~MC~~~~~~
Andy Flynn entered the condo, surprised to find the living room dark. He hung his suit coat in the entrance hall next to Sharon's purse. Quietly, he made his way toward the kitchen. As he moved behind the couch he suddenly realized that Sharon was curled up on the sofa, wrapped in his green robe. He was loathed to wake her so he paused not sure what to do. "I'm not asleep." Her voice drifted up from below him.
'Damn' he thought. "I'm sorry, Sweetheart. Did I wake you?"
She moan slightly as she sat up, "No, just resting." Andy continued into the kitchen, flipping on lights as he went.
"I didn't pick up dinner, you never answered my text."
"Hmm. My phone is still in my purse I guess." Andy frowned turning back to watch her. That was odd he thought. She never was too far from her phone. "I'm really not very hungry." She continued. "There's leftovers in the refrigerator or cereal." She stood, letting Andy's robe slide to the couch. Dressed in grey leggings and a red tank top, she padded barefoot into the kitchen, straight into Andy's waiting arms. They held each other for a few minutes before she eased out of his embrace. "Go change, cereal okay?" Smiling, his nod was barely noticeable. Unable to help himself, he pulled her back into his arms, planting a soft kiss to her forehead. She pulled away again, chuckling under her breath, before patting him on the behind, "Go."
~~~~MC~~~~
Several minutes later, Andy sauntered back to the dining table, dressed in blue stripped pajama bottoms and a grey v-neck t-shirt. Sharon sat in her normal chair at the head of the table, a bowl of dry cereal in front of her. Andy sat, reaching for the milk, he pored it over his cereal and began to eat. "So are you going to tell me what the bio-mom wanted?"
She frowned, leaning her elbows against the table, "Andy, please don't call her that. She's either Sharon or Rusty's mom."
"You are Rusty's mom. She gave up that right a long time ago."
Sharon ran her hand across her make-up free face, "I'm not so sure. She needed to discuss something that would affect our son. Her exact words, were our son."
Andy crunched on another spoonful, "So what kind of trouble has she gotten into this time?"
"Depends on your definition of trouble." Sharon took a sip of tea, her cereal still untouched. "Sharon is…pregnant, four months along to be precise."
Andy's spoon clattered loudly against his bowl, "You've got to be kidding me."
Sharon rested her chin on her intertwined hands, "No, I'm not. Gary…is the father."
"So I guess she wants you to break the news to Rusty?" Sharon slowly nodded her head. "Well that's just great! I guess she wants you to raise this kid too!" Andy's voice continued to get louder.
Sharon reached out trying to calm him, "No…Andy. That's not what she wanted. She...well, she seems to have gotten her life back on track as of now and she plans on keeping the baby."
Andy scooted his chair back, "Yeah, until she falls off the wagon again and that baby becomes Rusty's…I mean your responsibility. Jesus, Sharon!" Andy stood, walking quickly into the kitchen.
Sharon crossed her arms over her chest, surprised at Andy's outburst, "How do we know that she will mess up this time? Maybe, just maybe she finally has her life together. You more than anyone should know that it is possible."
Andy came back to the table, a glass of water in hand. "And you more than anyone should know that sometimes it just doesn't work, not everyone is capable of a successful recovery." Andy sat, placing the water on the table next to his cereal bowl. "We're not talking about a fifteen year old kid here, we're talking about a helpless baby."
"I just think she deserves a second chance, for her sake and for Rusty's." Sharon moved to take another sip of tea.
"And how many chances are you going to give her? As many as you gave Jack, because we all know how that's worked out." Andy could see the hurt, anger flash in her eyes as soon as the words tumbled from his mouth.
She studied him over the top of her tea cup, "What if Nicole or Drew had made the choice not to give you a second chance, Andy…what if… I hadn't given you a chance?" She placed her cup to the side, crossing her arms tightly over her chest, her hands balled into fists, "Do you honestly think I don't remember the person you were before you earned your sobriety? Because I do…I remember him all too well."
Andy stiffened at her words, this conversation was taking a turn he never expected, "Look, I just don't want the kid or you to get hurt. That's all I'm trying to point out here."
"Well, life is full of hurt…Andy. That is something that sadly we can't change." She stood, leaning against the back of her chair. "I pray every single day that Sharon could get her life together and be the kind of mom Rusty deserves. I'd like to hope that she is finally ready to do just that. And as much as I despise Jack, the way he has treated me, I still pray that Emily and Ricky could have the kind of father that they deserve. Just like I pray that you will continue to be exactly what your kids and grandkids need." She turned, starting through the living room.
"Where are you going? You haven't touched your cereal." Andy asked after her.
"I'm taking a bath before bed." She called without looking back at him.
"Fine…fine." Andy mumbled. "Holy hell!"
~~~~MC~~~~
Andy closed the dishwasher with a thud, having finished his cereal and hers too. Wondering where the kid was, he left the light on above the kitchen sink before padding down the hall to Sharon's bedroom. The bathroom door was cracked slightly open, the lights dim. Andy peered in, the scent of vanilla filling the air. "Can I wash your back?" He hesitantly asked.
She smiled, opening her eyes, "I thought maybe you could join me."
Not having to be told twice, Andy quickly shed his clothes while Sharon scooted forward in the tub. She let some of the water out, turning the hot water on low. Andy settled in behind her. She adjusted the water one last time before moving back against his chest. His arms glided around her, gently resting just below her waist. She sighed against him, as her hands covered his. "I'm sorry…" He started, but stopped when he felt her shake her head.
"I'm sorry too." She whispered, softly squeezing his hands.
He placed a chaste kiss to the side of her cheek, "You gonna tell Rusty tonight?"
"No. He's staying with Gus tonight. I will talk with him in the morning." Andy's chest vibrated against her back as he began to chuckle. "What's so funny?"
His voice, was deep. His tone hinting at his thoughts, "Next time, sweetheart…if the kid's going to be gone for the night. You may want to lead with that information."
"Why?" The words barely escaped her lips as Andy's hand moved to cup her breast. His fingers aptly tweaking her nipple in just the right way. His other hand slid slowly down her stomach, her back automatically arched into him, her legs spreading as wide as the tub would allow. "Oh…!" She breathed. Her head rolled to the side as he bent to capture her sweet lips. She still tasted of peppermint tea and honey as she moaned into his mouth.
He savored her lips for several minutes before gently pulling away. "Bed." It wasn't a question. She pushed herself from his arms, stepping out of the tub. Before she could dry off completely he was behind her, pulling her soft curves back against him. Her towel fell to the floor as she turned in his arms. Their eyes met, his signature smirk betraying his thoughts. There would be no need to be quiet tonight. "I want to hear you." He begged, as he trailed kisses down her beautiful neck.
"Oh, you will Andy…you will."
