"Wow, it's great to see you in some normal clothing," Andy said when he entered the room later that evening. Sharon almost jumped from where she was lying on her bed. Her head had been turned toward the window, and she now realized she must have been dozing too because the sky was now dark, not the orange and red she'd been watching earlier. She turned her head to Andy and saw him closing the door, a bouquet of flowers in hand. "Oh, did I scare you?" He frowned as he moved closer to her. "I didn't know you were sleeping."

"It's okay," she gave him a warm smile and patted the bed where she wanted him to come and sit near her. "I don't mind, and I fell asleep looking at the sunset. I didn't even realize I was sleeping. I had a full afternoon, well," she rolled her eyes and sighed, "full from the perspective of coming out of a coma."

Andy chuckled and leaned in to kiss her. He lingered, and she kissed him back, humming as she did so and putting her hand on his face. He pulled back finally and smiled at her, "I've been waiting to do that all day."

"Why don't you sit down and tell me about your day?" Sharon asked as she again patted the bed where there was room for him to sit. "I can tell you about my day too."

"I'd love nothing more. The last month, all I've wanted to do is sit and tell you about my day and wish I could hear about yours. I've wanted to turn my chair toward your office and flirt with you through the blinds, and finally," he sat and smiled again, "you're awake. I have a lot to tell you. Before that, though, you are looking much better."

Sharon chuckled and ran her arm up his. She couldn't stop touching him; she missed him so much and felt like they'd missed so much time together. "I wonder if that's why my head is cloudy? I wonder if you sat here, telling me about cases from work, and they are in my head, somehow and seem real?"

"Could be," he nodded. "We'll sort through all of that. Now, I see the nurses got you up and changed, hmm?" He looked her over, and she continued to run her hand up his arm, alternating between grasping it and patting it. "Yes, I feel exhausted. I had the physical therapist come by after lunch, a lunch, I might add, that was pitiful. They are finally going to start giving me some real food here for dinner. It hasn't come yet."

He looked around while she just watched him, "I will be happy to go out and get you some real food. I didn't know what they wanted you eating yet."

She shook her head, "No, not tonight. They have slowly been starting me on liquids-soups and such, and then, I had some soft foods-Jell-O really, for lunch. I would love something real, but I also don't want you to go. Maybe you can bring something tomorrow?"

"You've got it," he reached for her hand and squeezed it. "You're really looking a lot better, Sharon. How was physical therapy?"

"He moved my legs a lot, and he said that tomorrow, they will get me up and down to the therapy room. I'm not looking forward to that," she frowned and made a face. "I mean, I am looking forward to getting up finally, but I have a feeling that is going to be rather painful. He said my legs should bounce back rather quickly, but my shoulder will be the big problem. I think they want me here a couple more days until I can at least walk okay before they send me home. I'll continue with outpatient physical therapy after that for several weeks."

Andy nodded as she spoke, and when she took her hand in his, he smiled at her, "I know it's going to be a tough road to recovery, but I also know you are the strongest person I know, Sharon." She dropped her head and shook it, sighing. He continued, "So," he nudged her, "up and showered?"

"Hmm, yes," she looked at him again. "That was humbling, feeling completely useless as I tried to stand. It took two nurses helping me, and then, they had to put a walker type support in the shower for me while one stood right there. Still, I cannot tell you how good it feels to have had a shower and now have freshly washed hair."

"Well, like I said, you are looking better. I can't imagine that feeling, probably even worse than when I would be completely drunk, hungover, and almost not know when I had stumbled into a shower. That's the best I can do to compare," he gave a slight shrug.

"Anyway," Sharon shook her head at his description, "it feels wonderful to wear some of my own clothing. Thank you for bringing this pajama set. I'm feeling more and more like myself, even if that's still a long way off." Sharon smoothed her hand over the soft cotton matching set he'd brought her. It was dark gray and comfortable. It also was a button-up style, something he knew she needed with her shoulder right now.

"I'll bring more clothing tomorrow," he told her. "Promise. Rusty brought that bag, right?" Andy looked around the room, and he saw it sitting on a chair.

"Yes, I know you always say you like me without any makeup, but I'd really like to do something, even something simple. I look every bit my age and worse right now. I know I can't do anything to get my shoulder back to 100% right now, and I'm otherwise a mess, but I would like to feel better about myself, that I'm at least slightly put together."

"Anything for you," he nodded. "So, dinner tonight, physical therapy tomorrow-"

"More like a torture session, "she teased. "He's very nice, but I know my muscles are going to make me pay the price."

"Well," he picked up her hand and kissed it. "I, for one, can't wait for you to be home, OUR home, which seems crazy because it was your home, I moved in, you went into a coma, I've been living there, and now, we finally get to make it our home," he sighed.

"I know," she nodded, a sympathetic smile on her face. "I've heard about the growing pains at home from Rusty, you two adjusting to each other. It sounds like a real family to me."

Andy started to chuckle, "I'm sure he told you he hates doing my laundry, like there's something wrong with it. You know," he gestured, "because it's perfectly normal for a parent or adult to do the kid laundry, but it's disgusting for the kid to do the household laundry. Rusty," he shook his head. "We're doing just fine, even if he continually asks me about Gus and doesn't like my answer."

Sharon had a small smile on her face, "I heard you told him to talk to Gus, repeatedly."

"Yeah," he chuckled and shook his head. "He kept saying things about Gus, wondering what you would say, and I always told him I thought we'd have the same advice."

Sharon started to laugh and rolled her head from side to side, "I told him he should speak to Gus, and he got upset even with me. It was good to see him earlier. He hasn't changed," she sighed, "but he has. He's still very 'Rusty focused,' but I know he's been through a lot, including watching his adopted mother in a coma and apparently living with a new man at the house who falls asleep on the couch," she winked at him.

Andy gestured again, somewhat flustered, "What's the big deal? You and I always fall asleep." Sharon patted his arm and winked at him. He sighed and just rolled his eyes, "He's a good kid, Sharon. He's coming along. Provenza, Patrice, and I have kept a good eye on him."

"I know you have," she said, leaning up to kiss him and pull him toward her for a hug. "I just need to be close to you. I'm so glad you are here tonight. I've missed you all day."

"I've missed you too," he said, pulling her hands into his to hold them. He looked down at her hands and paused for a moment. Her eyes scanned his, and finally, he took a deep breath. "Sharon, I need to tell you something." He looked up at her, and he could see the concern in her eyes. He spoke quickly, "I haven't wanted to hide this, but when you woke up, things were so hazy, so cloudy for you. It's been on my mind, trying to find the time to tell you. I had a heart attack while you were in your coma," he said and just stopped, letting her digest that. Her eyes widened, and she started to look him up and down, as if he'd have visible signs of his heart attack. "I wasn't here this morning because I had yet, another doctor's appointment. Provenza, Rusty," he paused and sighed, "they know; everyone knows about this, all the kids, and I just asked that they let me be the one to tell you."

Sharon just looked at him. Her eyes were moving quickly, and she tightened her grip on his hands. Finally, she shook her head slightly and cleared her throat, "When? I mean, did this all really happen? I am not doubting you, but my memory and my mind has been foggy, almost playing tricks on me. I'm just making sure this is real. It feels real."

"It's real," he nodded, pursing his lips. He broke their hand contact to pull something out of his inside suit jacket pocket. "I had an appointment this morning. I've had several and will continue to have more for awhile. Here's my next appointment card reminder," he said, handing it to her. She reached for it, her hand a bit shaky. Andy watched her study it, and she nodded quietly. She looked to him for more information. Andy sighed and shook his head, "It wasn't long after you were shot, a few days. I was around to work some of that case. I told you Provenza was trying to keep my mind off you here, but that wasn't working. I'd gone in, so I could finish my paperwork for the case, and I just wasn't feeling good. I attributed that to the fact you were here, nothing was right, and I hadn't been sleeping or eating. I collapsed there at work. Thankfully, Mike, with his knowledge and all, had an aspirin, and they got me here quickly. Yeah," he scratched the back of his neck, "they brought me here, funny story, but it's not. Rusty and all the kids were back and forth between us. It was a mess. I know you were out of it, but I never want to have to relive that. Doc ran a lot of tests, and finally, I was released. I've been on restricted duty the last couple weeks, but honestly, with you here, Provenza hasn't had me doing too much. I've been the paper guy at work, more of a consultant. I'm the one who has been filling in for most of your job, the paperwork part. Provenza has taken the team and run it, and I've taken the deskwork. A lot of it, I could even sit and do here."

Andy paused and let Sharon process everything. She met his gaze, "How bad was it? You're here," she gave his hand a squeeze and a small smile. "I'm so sorry all of this caused you to have a heart attack."

He shook his head, "No, this wasn't the cause. Years of drinking and not taking care of myself led to the heart attack, at least that's what my doc said. It frustrates me because I've been really taking care of my health and diet the last few years. I know; I know," he raised his hand. "That doesn't mean damage isn't already done, but it's frustrating."

"You've been under a lot of stress with this," she nodded. "We moved in together, and you've been carrying the load with me here, with the five kids, with work," she sighed. "Andy," she gave him a sad smile. She used her free hand to put it on his face. "I am so sorry. I just want you well, both of us to get well."

He nodded, pulling her hand to his mouth where he kissed it again. He sighed, "The doc said it was a mild heart attack. Man," he tried to chuckle, "hurt like you wouldn't believe, so if that's mild, I don't want anything worse. They are monitoring me. I'm going for checkups. I can't get my blood pressure down, though. I'm on new meds, things that I'm still adjusting. This is going to be a change of lifestyle thing again, although, I eat fish and vegetables. I'm not sure what more I can adjust. Still," he shook his head, "I know it's not what you signed up for with me."

"Signed up for?" Sharon gave him another small smile. "Andy, I signed up for you, all of you, good and bad, work and home, ex-spouses, Provenza, kids and all. Even in my coma, I signed up for the 'better or worse' part," she tried to laugh. "I love you, and this is something we will handle together. I'm sitting here, almost in shock. Not much shocks me anymore, but you got me. I just don't have a huge reaction anymore. Jack burned me so many times, I try to adjust, adapt, and move forward. We will do that with this." She ran her hand over his face and then gestured to herself, "I mean, I'm the one here in a hospital, just out of a month-long coma. I'd say we both are dealing with some health issues."

He nodded, "You'll heal. My heart won't just heal."

"My shoulder may not either, and I'm coming to grips with that," she nodded. "It may end my career. You and I both know that if I can't fire my weapon, if I'm not cleared for duty-" she paused.

He waited, and when she didn't speak, he took her hand in his, "We'll work together. We both might be retired out," he said and gave a small shrug. "It has to happen sometime. I still think you'll get Taylor's job, and that would fit the criteria you need."

She shook her head, "I like where I am. I like the team, working with you, seeing you throughout the day."

"Let's take one day at a time, both of us. I hope you know I wasn't trying to hide my heart attack," he looked to her.

"I know," she bit her lip and looked to their hands, which were now piled together again. "As I said, I'm still trying to sort out my dreams and reality. It's been good seeing Rusty and Provenza today. That has helped, and as I'm saying that," she nodded, "it explains why Wes has been added to the team, yes?"

Andy nodded, "Yeah, that is part of it. Wes came on board in the middle of the investigation from his undercover role. When that was compromised, he finished working the case with us. He's a good detective, the little I've seen so far. Then, I had my heart attack, and since then, he's been the fill in, and he's going to stay, at least," he winked at Sharon, "if the boss approves."

"Hmm," she gave him another small smile, "I hope I still am the boss."

"I'll even let you be the boss at home," he winked and shifted to get closer to her. He pulled her toward him, and the two embraced, letting out sighs as they tried to let go of their stress. He ran his hand up and down her back, "I'm glad you are on the road to recovery, Sharon."

"I want to go to your next appointment. I should be out of here in a couple days," she said. "We're in this together."

He nodded, "Just as I want to be there for your appointments, Sharon. We'll get through this together."

"Oh, the kids," she put her hand to her mouth when they pulled back. "I can't imagine the stress."

He nodded, "The kids are all amazing, and that's nothing I can take credit for doing. Those five kids were raised by strong women who taught them to be strong, all of them. Even Rusty has really come through, yeah, yeah," he waved his hand and continued, "even with his complaining. That's partly why he's taken up the chores at home. Ricky and Emily told me they had a chat with him about pulling together as a family, and he's done well, even with his complaining."

She nodded. She shook her head, "It's all so much, almost overwhelming, but I'm not going to panic. I've learned how to just accept, as I said. Is there anything else? I assume you are still living at the condo. That isn't changing. You didn't meet some wonderful nurse while you've been here, have you?" Sharon gave him a playful smile and tilted her head slightly.

"Not a chance," he leaned in and kissed her quickly. "You're stuck with me, Raydor, maybe even through all that 'sickness and health' junk. We'll have to talk about that."