Tag to 5.10 Dead Zone. No beta, all mistakes are mine.

A/N Honestly, I struggled with this chapter. The episode was so AMAZING it really does not need much follow up. I hope I did it justice.

The night air was cool, but Sharon Raydor felt numb inside and out. Standing barefoot in black leggings and the blue blouse she wore to work, she gazed out over the city lights, cradling a lukewarm mug of peppermint tea with both hands. The sound of the glass door sliding open somewhat eased the pressure in her chest, but it wasn't until his hands slid around her, coming to rest tightly across her stomach that she was finally able to breathe deeply. They leaned into each other, Andy's head resting on her shoulder, his nose meandering into her hair, seeking out her comforting scent. "How are you?" He asked against the side of her neck.

"Fine." She rolled her cheek against his. "You still smell like smoke."

"Yeah, I know. My damn ears won't quit ringing either." He tugged gently on her hip, "Join me for a shower?"

Placing the mug on the small table beside her, she turned in his arms, her fingers instantly tracing up and down his tie, while his hands found purchase on her hips. "Go ahead, I'll join you in a few minutes."

"You sure?" There was something in her eyes that lead him to question her. Rising to the balls of her feet, she tugged gently on his suspenders pulling him even closer, her mouth seeking out his. The taste of peppermint tea lingered on her soft lips. His eyes drifted closed, allowing himself to become fully immersed in the warmth and passion of their kiss. When she finally pulled back, the loss of contact left a hollow feeling in his heart.

Patting him tenderly on the chest, she nodded toward the balcony door. "Go," she smiled, but he was quick to notice that it didn't reach her eyes.

Reluctantly he turned, his fingers slipping from her sides. Easing the balcony door closed, Andy stood in the silence of the living room, his eyes drifting back to the magnificent woman standing just beyond the glass. Her back was to him again, her shoulders slumped as she leaned heavily against the railing.

Loath to give her the space she seemed to need, Andy ran his fingers through his hair, hoping to ease the headache that had settled there. Slowly he padded down the hall into the bedroom. As he began to undress he suddenly realized just how terrible his clothing smelled. Not wanting to spread the offending odor among the rest of their dry cleaning, he searched under the bathroom sink for a plastic bag. Once his clothes were finally dealt with, he placed the bag on the bench at the foot of the bed with plans of moving it to the laundry room once he was out of the shower.

Andy stood, both hands resting against the cool tile of the shower wall. The hot water beating down across his shoulders and neck gradually beginning to loosen his worn muscles. His eyes slipped closed, if he concentrated hard enough he could almost feel her hands sliding across his taunt shoulders, the press of her perfect body against his. He wasn't sure how much time had passed but he was sure that she wasn't going to join him. Turning the water off, Andy reached for a dark grey towel and began to quickly dry off. Once dressed in red and blue striped boxers and a heather grey undershirt, he opened the bathroom door intent on finding her. Two steps into the bedroom, Andy stopped dead in his tracks.

Apparently she had planned on joining him after all, but the plastic bag at the foot of the bed had easily distracted Sharon. She sat on the floor, huddled against the edge of the bed, clad only in her black lace bra and panty set. His heart sank in his chest as his eyes moved to the blue polka dotted tie clenched tightly in her hands. "Sharon?" His voice was low as he stepped closer. She did not look up, her eyes locked on the smoke riddled fabric resting across her lap. Stepping closer, he eased down on the floor beside her. "Sweetheart, look at me." It was if she didn't even hear him. He reached out attempting to pull the tie from her grasp, yet she held firm. "It's just an old tie, Sweetheart. It can be replaced."

"But you can't be." She still refused to meet his gaze.

"I'm fine, everyone was okay."

"This time." She finally raised her head, the dark green reflected back at him full of an emotion he had never seen from her, "There are so many different things about this case that bother me. Andy, you didn't look into Dwight Darnell's eyes. In all my years, I don't think I've ever seen so much hatred radiating from one human being. I'm afraid this…is just the beginning of many terrible things to come. Taylor has asked me to sit in on the trial with him. It starts Monday, I just… feel like a cold fist of dread has settled deep in my soul."

Andy stared at her, unsure of exactly what to say. His fingers trailed along her jaw to tenderly cup her cheek. She smiled, leaning fully into him for several minutes, their foreheads resting against each other, saying what words could not. Deep down he knew she was right, but he didn't want to admit that to her now. Reluctantly he pulled away, the bedroom floor suddenly becoming way too hard. Slowly he stood, pulling the tie from her hands as he went. "Come on, get ready for bed while I take this to the laundry room." He was glad when she easily allowed him to pull her to her feet and into a tight hug. Dropping the tie back into the plastic bag, Andy waited until he could hear the water running in the bathroom before he stepped down the hall toward the kitchen.

Rounding the corner, he was surprised to find Rusty seated on the sofa, laptop in hand. "Hey Kid, sorry... I didn't realize you were home yet."

"Andy, it's fine. I mean, it's not like I haven't seen you in your boxers before, let's just not make it a habit," the kid chuckled slightly. Rusty watched as Andy moved through the condo in to the laundry room. "Thanks again for that advice today."

Making his way back into the living room, Andy took the chair across from Rusty. "It was no problem. I wanted to help you, but I also wanted to make things easier on your Mom, so I guess you could say my motive was twofold."

Rusty stared at Andy, letting his words sink in. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Is Mom alright? She seemed, I don't know…just a little off this afternoon."

Letting out a deep sigh, Andy leaned back in his chair, his hands coming to rest at his chin, "Well…" Andy weighed his words carefully for he knew the last thing Sharon wanted was a worried Rusty. "She's okay. Today was a rough day. You know, this case is tough one. There's so many parts and pieces that have to be considered. I'm pretty sure that some of what is going on with Mark reminds her of what things were like for you growing up and even those first few months here with her. Your stories maybe very different but there are too many similarities to ignore." Rusty slowly nodded his head. "Also you have to remember," Andy continued, "Even though Sharon has seen some really terrible things in her career, deep down she strongly believes in the basic elements of the human spirit. And these dirt bags have no human spirit, all they have is hatred." Andy started to stand, "I better go before she begins to wonder what happen to me. Night kid."

"Andy…" Rusty called just a few seconds later.

"Yeah?" Stopping his trek through the living room, Andy turned his attention back to Rusty.

"I know I haven't been…well, I can be a real pain in the ass, but I'm glad you're here. I'm really glad she has you."

Andy tried not to smile too big, "You both have me, Kid. The three of us have each other."

Rusty nodded once again, before turning his attention back to his laptop, "Night Andy."

Unable to hide his grin, Andy sauntered back to the now darkened bedroom. Closing the door, he stepped to the bed. Pulling the covers back, he snuggled in behind Sharon. His hands moved down her body, molding her into his chest. He could feel her instantly relax into him as he placed a soft kiss against her cheek. "I love you and I'm here for you in any way that you need me to be."

"I know," her voice broke slightly. "I love you too." Her eyes drifted closed, yet her mind would not still. She didn't know what the coming weeks would bring, but she did know for certain that she could always count on the man holding her close.