I wish Sharon dealing with the responsibility of her position and how it relates to her relationship with Andy was examined a bit more. This episode (and 5x10 later) seemed like the perfect opportunity for it. An opportunity Duff, of course, didn't use. XD

So here's my take on it.

It had been a long day. Turning in early sounded heavenly to her. Just how heavenly was evident in the long sigh she let out as she finally slipped under her comforter. It had been a really long day, she thought to herself as she turned to her side, propping her head on an elbow.

"You know, days like today almost make me hate the rules." She kept her tone low and steady, but with an almost breathless quality to it, giving away how exhausted she was. More mentally than physically.

"Is that so?" He had already made himself cozy under her comforter while she went to check whether she locked her front door. He turned onto his side, mirroring her by propping his own head on an elbow in order to face her. His voice carried a slightly amused undertone, but he knew there was more to her words than met the eye.

"Almost," she reiterated, suppressing a smile. She let her hand follow a path down his forearm before settling it on the top of his hand that was pressed to his other side. "Sending my team into the line of fire was never easy." Her gaze followed the movement of her fingers that were now slowly dancing over his hand. "But it still surprises me that it's gotten more difficult."

He took a hold of her hand, stilling it. "We're okay. His wife might kill him, but Provenza's okay, too." He squeezed her hand. "I'm okay."

She tore her gaze away from their hands, a faint smile crossing her face, and sought out his eyes. "I know."

She didn't usually lament like this over their actions during a case. And even now, she knew everything was done by the book. But she couldn't help reliving that moment when she heard those shots and the way her stomach tied up in a painful knot, threatening to overwhelm her for just a brief second before her training and experience kicked in and jump started her to continue acting accordingly.

"It's not the first time," he said softly.

She nodded. No, it wasn't. Amy got hurt. Julio got hurt. Andy got hurt. Provenza got hurt. Really, the list just kept getting bigger and bigger. The potential danger she exposed her team to with every decision she made was something she dealt with on a daily basis. It would always rattle her. Whether it was just a close call or somebody actually did get hurt. She made her peace with that. As their commanding officer she had no other choice. And frankly, she'd be less of a police officer if it didn't bother her. However, it hadn't gotten easier. And she knew why it had gotten more difficult. The culprit was sharing her bed as if to taunt her. Not that he was. Earlier she had made a rather selfish decision of driving to the hotel with Andy instead of letting him ride with Provenza as usually. She couldn't, and wouldn't, replace him in the field with somebody else, but she indulged in having him for herself for a few moments before sending all of them into what turned out to be a hail of bullets.

"No, it's not." She pulled her knees up, bending her legs, as if curling into herself would help matters. "I'm glad you're okay," she practically whispered.

He let go of her hand and reached his arm out for her. When his hand landed on her hip, he pulled her closer and she went willingly. "It's the job." He couldn't help her much, when a mood like this took over her, but he knew she dealt in facts. So facts he offered. He practically shuddered remembering what he had put her through after his dust up with the car. It's how he knew she would take a moment to let the reality of it all sink in. Again. And she would be okay. Again.

It was the job. One they were very good at, she had to admit. Otherwise, who knew how many of those close calls could have been much more nerve wrecking than they really were.

"Doesn't mean I have to like it." She suspected she sounded like a pouting child. She took in Andy's face, a smile spreading over it. Yes, she definitely sounded like a pouting child. He remained quiet, however, his only form of support the hand still resting on her hip, a thumb drawing circles on it. He knew her so well by now and wouldn't push. She smiled to herself. Taking a deep breath and readjusting her head in her hand she said, "I definitely don't like it."

The firm, steady voice in which she said it let them both know that for now she was done chasing down that particular avenue of thoughts.

"So," a grin settled on his face, "did you really have to freak Taylor out like that?" He made himself more comfortable, pulling her even closer to him.

She blinked at him. She was done with mulling over their workday but she hadn't expected that turn in conversation. But it was so typically Andy that she couldn't help but let out a giggle. He loved that sound, he's told her plenty of times, so when he joined her in her laughter, the corners of his eyes crinkling, the eyes themselves sparkling in amusement, she let that warm feeling of being okay, of being safe, of being cared for wash over her, envelop her. The feeling was much cozier than her bed and comforter ever would be.

"Well," she said at length, "we will have to report another change in our status soon enough. New address you know," she smiled happily. "He deserved a heads up." She shrugged innocently and moved her arm over his, the thumb of her hand drawing patterns on the inside of his elbow.

"Sure he did." In truth, he could care less about what Taylor needed to know. He only mentioned it to get her mind elsewhere. And to put a smile on her face. He felt awfully proud of himself for having succeeded.

It must have shown on his face for she asked, "What?"

He pulled his poker face, if he even had one, he wasn't sure he did, not around her at least, and shrugged his shoulder. "Nothing."

She looked far from convinced but decided to let it go. "I never thought of Chief Taylor as a topic of pillow talk." To the inexperienced eye, she'd have sounded completely serious, maybe with a hint of reproach even, but to his much more experienced one, she looked about ready to burst into another fit of giggles. That merry glint in her eyes gave her away.

His face remained remarkably serious, too, but, with the slight narrowing of his eyes, she could tell his wheels were turning. He moved his hand off her hip, up her side, over her arm and shoulder until it reached her cheek, and leaned in. In a voice that resembled a growl, with an undertone of what anybody else would worry was intimidation, but in reality was playfulness, he said, "We're nowhere even close to pillow talk yet, my dear." He closed the distance between them and kissed her just as the fit of giggles finally burst out of her.

He was okay. She was okay. They were okay. Better than okay, she thought as he pulled her on top of him.

Very, very much better.

Just a somewhat fluffy piece. Thoughts?

And as always, thanks for reading and sorry about any mistakes! Not a native speaker over here.