A/N: It's been a while since I last posted. My personal life has been hectic and is just now getting back to normal. I hope you will enjoy this chapter and I would like to thank blossom-of-snow for her wonderful editing work.

Sharon stretched on the balcony lounge chair. As the days were getting cooler, the sun was increasingly welcome on a lovely and eventless Saturday morning. Andy went back home a few days prior, and he apparently needed to keep his distance to reinstate his independence. Even though she wanted to call and hear his voice, she understood his need for some space.

Sharon flexed her toes as she reached for her coffee and took a sip, eyes closed in savory bliss. A sudden pressure at the end of her chair startled her, and she nearly spilled the whole cup.

Rainie, the source of the disturbance, looked at Sharon as if she didn't just deflate a perfectly relaxing moment. "Mom, can we talk?"

One question and all was forgiven. "Yes, sweetheart. Of course." Sharon put her mug on the coffee table and straightened in her seat.

"I have a little situation," Rainie started, studying her chipped fingernail polish. "Do you remember Gustavo Wallace?"

Sharon nodded, remembering the young man Rainie brought to the murder room a few months earlier.

"He and I kept in touch. You know, I thought he needed the emotional support after what he's been through," Rainie said. "And he just texted me that the trial of Marianna's murderer starts tomorrow."

"Yes, I know. Andy is testifying," Sharon confirmed. Rainie's lack of response to her mother's revelation confirmed that this was not the source of Rainie's discomfort.

"Gus is coming to town. He wants me to accompany him during the trial."

Sharon waited, trying to understand the exact nature of the problem. "If attending the trial is too triggering for you –"

"That's a part of it," Rainie admitted. "The other is I didn't tell Gus I'm gay, and I think this might be his strange way of asking me out on a date."

"At court?" Sharon made a face. She couldn't think of anywhere less romantic to have a first date with someone.

"I know it sounds bizarre. He's been sending some mixed signals. I'm just trying to make sense of all this," Rainie said.

"Remember how Andy and I were not really dating, but he misrepresented our friendship to his family?" Sharon asked.

Rainie nodded.

"And I made him face Nicole and make sure she knew we were not dating?"

"But now you are dating, so clearly Nicole was right and you were wrong about it."

"That's not the point," Sharon replied, even though she had to concede Rainie's point. "What I'm trying to say is that you need to face Gus and ask what his intentions are, and if it turns out that he really did try to ask you out, then you have to tell him the truth."

Rainie rubbed her hands over her thighs and took a deep breath. "Speaking of the truth and misrepresenting relationships, you should probably know Heather and I are kinda girlfriends."

Sharon feigned her surprise.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I just wanted to be sure about it first."

"Oh, honey, I'm so happy for you. You don't need to apologize for taking your time," Sharon said. "You should invite Heather for dinner, so I can get to know her better."

"Are you sure?"

The hesitation in Rainie's voice prompted Sharon to reach for her hand. "Of course. And also, do we need to talk about overnight guests again?"

"Not yet, no. Umm…" Rainie cleared her throat. "We are not there yet."

"Okay, so when you feel like it may be time for that conversation, you'll let me know, right?" Sharon asked.

The stunned look on Rainie's face was amusing and Sharon tried her best not to laugh. "Right," she said in a choked voice.

The rest of the weekend was quiet, and while Sharon was happy to have some time off, she was looking forward to seeing Andy at work. When he offered they'd spend some time in the evening after they got off, Sharon enthusiastically agreed, and after stopping at home for a change of clothes, they decided to take a stroll down to their favorite Los Feliz café.

Sharon laced her fingers through Andy's. "I know you needed your space, but I really missed you."

"I missed you, too, Sharon." Andy lifted their joint hands and kissed hers. "I didn't realize how nice it felt to sleep by your side every night. Maybe you could spend the night sometime this week?"

"We could do it this weekend, but not on Friday night," Sharon said.

"Why? What happens on Friday night?" Andy asked, his curiosity piqued.

"Rainie is bringing her girlfriend over for dinner," Sharon said. "I'd invite you, but I have a feeling it would be too much for Rainie."

"I get it. It's gonna take a while until she trusts me fully."

"She's trying," Sharon said.

"I know. I can't blame her. If I could put my hands on the assholes who hurt her…" Andy let the rest of the sentence hang in the air.

"Karma will catch up with them someday," As much as Andy's concern touched her, she preferred to avoid topics that made Andy's blood boil. "So, how was court today?"

"I think the jury is going to convict Slider," Andy replied. "Like he deserves."

"Did you get to see Gustavo Wallace there?"

"Yes, he was watching the trial. And he needed to be there to identify his sister. Why?"

"Rainie has been keeping in touch with him for the last few months. They've been friends, but she's suspecting he might want more than that," Sharon explained.

"He doesn't know she's gay?"

"She wasn't sure how to tell him. You've had him stay over with you for a couple of days after Rainie found him. How do you think he will take such a rejection?" Sharon asked.

"Well, two days is not enough to judge someone's character, but he seems like a sensitive man."

"I see," Sharon said, biting her bottom lip.

"But you're still worried."

Sharon nodded, gripping his hand tighter. "He asked Rainie to attend the trial with him, and she was uncomfortable with it. And I don't know if she told me everything, but I couldn't figure out if she's scared of him or for him."

"I can take the guy out for a coffee and try to find out what his intentions are." No doubt hoping to make her smile, he shot her the grin reserved only for his most playfully devious schemes. "Maybe pull out some old interrogation techniques."

Sharon swatted his arm but smiled when he laughed. "As tempting as that offer sounds, I think Rainie wanted to handle that on her own. In fact, I believe she was on the phone with him when we left."

Andy stopped walking and stood in front of her. "Don't you think we should have stayed at the condo, just in case things go wrong?"

"I appreciate your concern about Rainie, but she'll be fine, and we're only five minutes away if she needs us."

"You're right," Andy said before leaning in to capture her lips in a short but soft kiss. "I missed this."

"So did I." Sharon sidled into Andy's personal space and ran her hands down his chest. "I'm glad you're doing well, and I can't wait for when the doctor clears you for more intense physical activity."

"Oh, believe me, I can't wait for that either." Andy winked at her and slid his hand into the back pocket of her jeans.

A smirk spread across Sharon's face. He sure knew how to light her spark without even trying. Dammit, she loved him so much.

After enjoying a cup of tea and sharing a desert, they walked back to Sharon's building.

"Do you want to spend the night?" she offered when they rode the elevator to the eleventh floor.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"I'd hate for you to drive forty minutes to sleep in your empty, cold bed," Sharon replied seductively.

"When you put it like that…" Andy grinned.

Sharon offered him a sweet smile. She knew there wasn't much they could do, but cuddling next to him was enough for her.

Rainie was still awake and waiting for Sharon in the living room when they opened the condo door. She was nursing a cup of tea and listening to music on her iPhone. Her lips curved up in a relaxed smile when she saw them.

"Did you have a good time?" she asked as Sharon and Andy removed their coats and draped them on the hanger in the foyer.

Andy hummed affirmatively. "How are you doing, kiddo?"

"I'm well, thank you, Andy. How are you feeling?"

"Just like new. The two of you took good care of me," Andy replied, moseying to the couch.

Rainie smiled at him in response.

"Andy is gonna sleep over tonight," Sharon informed her daughter.

When Rainie nodded, Andy wished her goodnight and hurried to the bedroom in order to let Sharon and Rainie talk.

"How did your call go?" Sharon asked, curling up next to Rainie.

"It was fine. Apparently, Gus wasn't trying to hit on me. He's also gay."

"So he just wanted a friend," Sharon said.

"Yes. I explained to him why it's hard for me to attend the trial with him, but I suggested we'll meet somewhere tomorrow after he's done there. We had a good conversation, Mom."

"I'm happy that this issue has been resolved. And I think it's very kind of you to support Gus in his time of need. I'm sure your friendship means a lot to him."

"Thank you for your advice, Mom. I was confused about all of this. You helped me a lot," Rainie said and wrapped her arms around Sharon's neck. "You're the best mom ever."

Sharon pressed a kiss to Rainie's cheek and whispered her love before she stood up. "It's been a long day, and I am going to bed. Don't stay up too late, okay?"

"Sure, Mom. Goodnight. I love you."

After quickly going through her nightly routine, Sharon crawled into bed and snuggled next to Andy.

"You have a beautiful smile on your face," Andy said, nuzzling her neck.

"She just called me 'best Mom ever'," Sharon replied.

"She's not wrong about that," Andy said and kissed her. "Just remember how hard and broken she was when you first took her in and what a lovely young woman she's become under your care."

"She had a part in that too," Sharon replied, skimming her fingers through his hair.

"Babe, you should learn to take credit for your achievements," Andy said and pulled her closer. "Because you are an incredible person, and you deserve to be praised."

"Dammit, I love you. Do you know that, Andrew Flynn?"

-TBC-