"So, you never answered your own question," Andy broke the silence as they drove across the New Mexico landscape. They were almost two hours into their drive for the day, headed west of Phoenix to the small desert town of Quartzsite where Brenda's parents were anxious to see their relatives for dinner. The rest of the group was just anxious to get back to Los Angeles. No one was particularly excited about the long day of driving across a lot of desert and bleak scenery. It would normally take the group around eight hours, without stops, to get to their destination for the evening, but with the RV needing gas more frequently and just other stops, the group was planning on a 10-hour day.

Sharon glanced to him from the driver seat, "My own question-what did I ask?"

"First, I've told you I'd drive," he frowned at her. "Are you this obsessive about being in charge of everything? I can drive a couple hours."

"I put on the rental agreement that I was the only driver," she explained.

"Oh, and imagine that if we'd break that clause," he muttered. "Seriously, that's your problem with having me drive? Let me remind you that you are breaking some other pretty big rules here, this whole I'm married but messing around, but you don't want to break a rule about a car rental agreement. That makes no sense."

She gave him a look and then focused on the drive again, "My marriage is a mess, and we are legally separated. That, I'm not going to continue to discuss. I've told you that if I could find Jack long enough to deal with him, I would. As for the car, yes, I intend on driving and not breaking my contract. I'm fine anyway. I'd just sit and dwell on my family if I was sitting where you are there. Driving keeps my mind focused, at least on driving. Now, what question in the silence we've had for the last 15 minutes or so didn't I answer?"

"Oh," he turned toward her slightly, "back at breakfast, you asked Provenza about retirement," he started to chuckle and shook his head. "That was a great question. He hates talking about retirement because it does show his age. Anyway, you never answered your own question. When are you planning to retire, and what are you planning to do?"

Sharon took a deep breath and continued to keep her eyes focused on the road. She flipped her hair, and Andy watched, almost noting she was nervous. She cleared her throat to answer, "I'm planning to retire sooner than later. FID is hard," she nodded to herself. "Don't get me wrong-I love my job, but it's not one to be taken lightly, and it doesn't exactly score popularity points within the department. I've been thinking about that for a long time, about retiring. My plan right now is to retire when Ricky, my 19-year-old finishes college. That is not something I've made largely public knowledge, so if you would, I'd ask you to keep that to yourself. Now," she turned to glare at him, "I realize I'm trusting you with a lot right now, a lot of discretion," she cleared her throat again. "I'd like to think after our arrangement for this trip that you won't spread that like office gossip. It's not a secret, but I don't want a countdown calendar in each department waiting on my retirement date."

"Sure," Andy raised his hand in defense. "I won't say anything. So, that means you're planning to work another what, three years or so?"

"Probably," she nodded. "It depends on graduate school too. I just am not the parent to flip a switch when my kids graduate. I believe in helping them get started. Now, that doesn't mean my kids are moving back home, but I want to get them started on solid footing. If Ricky wants to attend graduate school, I'll make sure that can happen, whatever financial arrangement we discuss. Emily has already said she doesn't want to attend graduate school. She believes she will get the job she wants in New York. She's a fantastic dancer."

"That's such an odd career choice," Andy made a face. "Dancing, I mean professionally like that," isn't one you hear of much. The only dancers we hear about in our profession are the strip club type." Sharon threw a glare at him, and his eyes grew large, "Oh, I didn't mean to call her a stripper or something. I know she's into classical dance, ballet, right?"

"Yes, she's into ballet. She's been dancing since she was three. At the time, it was something she could do to give me a free moment to take care of a newborn. I'd get her to her class and sit and feed Ricky. It was a juggling act for sure. I was working full time, had both kids in daycare, and after work, I was usually alone too. Jack was already in and out, mostly out, and I realized very quickly Emily needed something. I'd get the kids home from work, and after hours at daycare, you'd think she would be ready to crash. No," Sharon shook her head, "not Emily, so I enrolled her in dance mostly because it was close to the house, and I'd done some dancing as a child. It worked. The first couple years, she had class twice a week, and it was a way I could breathe with a newborn. I felt guilty that I had to go back to work when Ricky was eight weeks old, and it gave me a few moments in the evening to just bond with him. I would sit there, watch Emily, and be with my baby. That's how she started dancing. I never expected it to be a career. At the time, it was just an almost single mom needing a break," she let out a low chuckle.

"Crazy how something like that can turn into a career," Andy sighed. "My ex-wife put the kids into sports when they were young too, not that young, but still. They were five and seven when we divorced for good. That was a long time ago. What is crazy about my ex is that she met the current husband with the kids' sports. He was my son's golf instructor and is now the manager for one of those posh golf resorts toward Beverly Hills. He's rolling in money, and my ex must be happy with that. I was never enough for her, and we just got married way too young. I shouldn't have gotten married. It was stupid, but that's what young and stupid is," he sighed. "Anyway, the replacement dad provides whatever the kids want or need. I try. I send money too, but I'm sure my measly amounts are just laughed at because I'm a cop. Sure," he shrugged, "I make decent money, but I can't and won't compete with that country club attitude. My son is into golf, and my daughter is into tennis. The kids are out of college now and perfectly content to pretend I don't exist. Whatever. I love my kids, but I made such a mess of my life. Anyway, I get what you mean that it's crazy how one decision can change things. Your kid is becoming a professional dancer. My ex met Daddy Warbucks with my kids' sports."

"You divorced a long time ago, then," Sharon nodded as she drove trying to process what he'd said. "How long have you been divorced?"

"Ahh, let's see, it's been 21 years now," he told her.

She turned toward him, wide-eyed, "You've been divorced 21 years? When did you get married?"

"We got married when we were still in college," he let out a long sigh. "Again, like I said, that was a stupid mistake. We were both 21. Nate, our son, was born when we were 22, just a couple months after we graduated. That's why I decided to become a cop. I needed to support my family and quickly. We needed health insurance and all. My ex is a teacher, or she was. She doesn't work now. She hangs out at the golf course and country club her husband manages. She wanted kids. I didn't. She's definitely molded them to what she's wanted. We weren't a good fit, and sadly, we realized that after having two kids right away. I started staying out after work, going to the bar with the guys. That turned into drinking later and later into the night. Then, I would come home drunk, and finally, I just started drinking all the time. I told her I'd quit, but I just didn't have the interest to do it back then. I saw my life as a mess. I realized I didn't want to be married, and really, then, I didn't want to be a dad. I wasn't a good one-husband or dad. I was too young. So, before I was even 30, I was divorced. I'm that guy, the typical drunk and divorced before 30. I drank a few more years before I really got my act together. Provenza has always been there for me, and that's why no matter what-no matter the grief he gives me-he's always going to be my best friend. Sorry, I'm not sitting here trying to be sappy. I just don't know what I'll do when I retire. I can't imagine that day coming, but like I said, I don't want to die sitting at my desk."

"There are a lot of avenues you can explore as a retired detective," Sharon pointed out to him.

"I'm not going to be a mall cop," Andy frowned at her. "That's just not happening."

"I didn't say that," Sharon sighed. "You need to think bigger."

"Oh, yeah?" Andy asked. "Obviously, you have a plan. What is it?"

"When I retire, I plan to leave Los Angeles. I'm done living here. This was Jack's idea anyway. I'm going to move somewhere and teach. I would like to teach at a community college, something like that. I think I could offer a lot in the field of criminal justice."

Andy raised an eyebrow at her, "You want to teach at a community college? That surprises me."

"Why?" she shrugged. "You really don't know me. Sleeping with each other a few times doesn't mean you know someone."

He sighed, "Yeah, I didn't say I did. I do know you from work. I guess it's hard to imagine you teaching. I see you as this law enforcer. Anyway," he shrugged, "to each his own."

"I don't see you as a mall cop either," she shrugged. "Maybe you should think of something completely different. Don't work at a golf course," she started to laugh and looked at him. "I think you are already bitter about that profession."

"Yeah," he threw up his hand at her. "Tell me, are we still on for tonight?"

She briefly eyed him before looking back at the road, "I can always tell when Willie Rae is driving. She won't go more than three miles above the speed limit."

"Did I do something wrong last night?" he asked. "You made that comment in front of Provenza about seeing me tonight, but when I tried to say something to you in the parking lot before we got on the road, you dodged my comment then. You just did now. Are we doing this again tonight, or have you changed your mind?"

"We're on for tonight," she said in a matter of fact tone. "You just seem to be too excited about all of this. I want to remind you this is just an arrangement for this trip. We'll be back in L.A. tomorrow."

"Yeah, I know," he nodded. "I understand our arrangement. I suppose it's just odd, sitting here, knowing it's going to happen again tonight. I've not been in a situation like this for a long time. Most of my encounters are just that, one-time encounters. It's been a long time since I saw the same person more than once."

"We aren't seeing each other," she changed her tone, now in a firm voice. "I hope we are clear on that."

"Oh, most definitely," Andy nodded. "I'm very clear on what is going on with us. It's just kind of exciting knowing what the evening holds," he flashed a grin. "Come on," he nodded to her. "You have to be looking forward to it too."

"It's been nice," she shrugged. "I didn't plan on this when I came on this trip, but it's been a good distraction. Thank you for that."

"Yeah, I didn't know what to expect from you," he eyed her, "but it has been fun."

"Just come by my room later tonight," she told him. "I'd like to relax on my own for awhile."

"Okay," Andy looked at her with surprise as he tried to understand her. "So, when do you want me to come to your room? I thought what we were doing was relaxing."

"I still want time to myself before you come to my room," she told him. "It's hard to explain. When you leave, I just want to go to sleep, to almost forget the day. It's not you," she sighed. "I just sink into my depressed holiday mood. I'd like to relax by myself before our evening's activities. Perhaps you could come over around 11?"

"11?" he asked.

She shrugged, "Is that too late for you? Are you going to be passed out asleep already? If you aren't up for it, we can forget it. I realize you are older than me."

"It's not too late," he looked to her irritated, but he couldn't get her to look toward him. "I'm just trying to figure out what game this is."

"No game. I just want time to myself. I want to relax, even eat, in peace. I might take a hot bath if the place we are staying isn't too minimal," she told him.

Andy let out a low chuckle, "Come on-it's an RV park and motel. I'd say it's going to be minimal. I wouldn't expect a spa-like resort for your bubble bath."

"I'm not high maintenance, if that's what you are insinuating," she scowled at him.

"I didn't say that, but I don't picture a nice bath in any of the places we've been staying. Come on," he urged her, "you have to admit that we seem to fit the stereotypical mode for the use of some of these places with our nightly encounters."

"Hmm, yes, so what you are saying is that these types of places are perfect for two people, not involved, I mind you, to sleep together and be done with it?"

"Yeah," he nodded. "I'm just advising to be careful taking a nice bubble bath. I'd probably opt for the quick shower. I've had a few cold showers myself," he flashed a grin at her.

"Wipe that grin off your face," she pointed her finger at him. "That's exactly what I don't need. I don't need you there grinning or gloating about sleeping with me. I just need to continue this arrangement until we get home. That way, at least something productive came out of this trip."

"Tell me, Captain," he turned toward her, "what do you have planned when we get back to Los Angeles? You said your kids are with the parents, right?"

"They are," she looked to him. "I plan to write up my report for this trip. Thankfully, things have gone well, and the suspect has been treated better than most family members. If things continue to go well, I won't have much work to do, and then, I plan to go home and try to relax on Christmas."

"Yeah, that sounds pretty depressing. Trust me," he nodded and continued, "take it from someone here who knows what its' like to be alone on Christmas. I'd suggest you find one of those fancy hotels to take your bubble bath and forget the holiday is here. If your kids aren't around, your house is going to seem empty. That's why I work on most holidays. I don't have a family, and it's better than sitting around thinking about drinking."

"You do have a family," she nodded to him. "You just aren't with them."

"They don't want me around, believe me. My ex has told me more than once that we messed up getting married so young and having kids. I know it. She knows it. She got the best part of our marriage, the kids. She knows it, and she's made her dream of a family with the golf instructor."

"I can hear it in your voice that you never wanted to remarry like your ex did?" she asked.

"Nope," he crossed his arms. "I'm fine now. I like no strings attached. It works for me. I make a decent salary, but I'm not rolling in it. I had to dig myself out from years of drinking. I sent the kids money when they were younger, and just now, finally, I'm starting to put money away and get ahead. I'm not interested in another relationship mistake, of getting involved or married to someone when I'm finally getting myself on solid ground, in all areas, but mostly finances. I'm good with taking a woman out for the evening, bringing her home, and then the next day, the two of us going our own ways. It's fine with me."

"I actually understand that," she nodded. "I really do. It is somewhat of a freedom. I can see that. Jack destroyed our finances too, not like the problems you just mentioned, but he wiped out anything I'd saved. The legal separation I got years ago keeps our money separate, and I was able to work into that agreement my pension. He can't touch it, even though I know he would want to take half of it. I was smart to listen to a good friend, a lawyer friend, when that was drawn up years ago now. At least when I retire, I know I have that for myself. He can't touch it. I finally untangled the last of our finances last year when I sold the house."

"What made you do that, sell the house?" he asked. "Did you have more legal issues with him?"

"No, quite the opposite," Sharon shook her head. "Part of that legal separation was that whenever the house sold, we would split the profits 50/50. That was bought when we were still living together, under the same roof. I'm not a horrible person. I acknowledge that, but I told Jack I didn't want to sell it until the kids were out of the house. He and I argued about that for awhile because honestly, he wanted the house to be sold years ago so he could blow that cash in Vegas. We came to an agreement, with the understanding that I wouldn't go after him for any sort of child support or money for the kids if I could stay in the house. I continued the mortgage payments, and while honestly, I paid on the house when he didn't, I didn't argue it. I got to keep my pension and stay in the house until the kids were out. Wouldn't you know it, that the week after the kids went to school, Jack called me out of the blue to ask about the house. The man can't make it home to see his son graduate. He can't show up when he's going to college, but somehow, he remembers that both kids are out of the house. He called me the end of August and asked about the house. I'd already started prepping to sell it. It felt odd staying there with the kids gone, and Ricky had done a lot of the yard work the last few years, so I was already getting it ready to sell. I listed it the middle of September, and it only took a week to get an offer. I closed on it the end of October, and the next day, I closed on my new condo. It's my home, and Jack cannot touch it."

"Okay, so you own a condo now?" he asked.

"I do," she nodded. "I've been in now about six weeks. I had painters come the first couple weeks. That was a bit of a mess. I was working a lot, and the painters were working around all my things, still boxed, of course. I stayed at a hotel for a few days, but then, I moved in, finally. I wish I'd had more time between selling one home and buying the other, but it worked out okay. That's partly why the holidays have me a bit nostalgic right now. It's the first Christmas in my new condo. The kids and I were going to create new memories there. We put up the tree two weeks ago, and we've been trying to make sure our old traditions carry to the condo. It's small, two bedrooms, and while I'd wanted three bedrooms, my budget couldn't afford it. I did a 15-year mortgage on it, knowing I wouldn't pay it off before I retire and move, but still, I have a better interest rate and will have paid down a lot of the loan in the next four or five years. If Ricky gets a master's degree, it could be five or six years in it. I don't know. It has a gorgeous view, and it will sell well when I do sell. It was a good investment, and honestly, it just feels good to be out of Jack's reach. I tried to push the divorce when the house sold, but like Jack, he disappeared. The money went into a direct deposit, but otherwise, I can't get in touch with him."

"He sounds like a real piece of work," Andy told her. "Glad you got your condo. I bought my own place now about 10 years ago. It took me getting sober and rebuilding my life-and credit," he groaned, "before I could buy anything. The kids are hardly ever there, so it's not their house at all. It's small, but it works. It needed a lot of work, so I've learned a lot about home repair. I guess that's what I do in my spare time to keep from drinking."

"Looks like Willie Rae is getting off the road for gas," Sharon sighed as she put on her blinker to follow her.

"This day can't end soon enough," Andy said as he put his head back on the seat and closed his eyes.

"If you can promise me you'll drive safely, I'll let you drive when we get back on the road," Sharon eyed him. He narrowed his gaze at her.

"What's the catch?" he asked.

"No catch," she shook her head. "I'm just really getting sleepy. I'd like to get some rest. Let's just say if I get some rest, maybe you can come by my room earlier tonight."