"Wow, Chief really is on a roll today," Andy sighed as he almost whispered to Provenza. "Thanks for getting us out of her hair with the suggestion we go get the witness statement."

Provenza looked up at him smugly, "Did I just hear you thank me for something? What has gotten into you?"

"Nothing!" Andy gestured as they walked to the elevator. "I'm glad to be getting out of the office for awhile. We can get that statement, get some lunch, and hopefully, when we get back, Chief has a new box of chocolate. Even better," he gestured with one finger, "we can bring her some candy. That will help."

"You're in a good mood. Why?" Provenza eyed him.

Andy shrugged as they waited on the elevator, "I'm looking forward to a couple days off starting tomorrow and not being on call tonight. Do you realize how long it's been we haven't been on call for New Year's Eve, I mean the whole night of New Year's Eve? We get to get out of here tonight at 11 because the chief came up with that dumb shared officer duty plan. At least we don't have the overnight shift. We're off for New Year's Day and the next day. That's like a holiday miracle!"

"Yeah, well," Provenza groaned and shook his head, "if anything good came out of that awful trip and case, it was that now, we will get some time off. I don't even consider Christmas as being off because we still worked into that morning, and the suspect died. I spent the day with my family, which that was a lot," he rolled his eyes. "And, I know where you were, Casanova."

"Yup," Andy grinned. "I was at that hotel."

Provenza turned to him and eyed him as the elevator numbers got closer to their floor, "Oh, please don't tell me there's a repeat of events for New Year's Eve tonight? I didn't even think of that! Flynn, you are an idiot."

Andy shook his head, "There's no repeat. Nope, we agreed that was it. It was like our grand finale; she doesn't want more."

"Where is this elevator?" Provenza grimaced and pushed on the buttons again. "I swear this building is falling apart. What do you mean grand finale? It's finally over?"

Andy shrugged, "I don't know. She said it was, but she's said that before. I feel like this kind of crossed her invisible line, even though by even suggesting it back here in L.A., she crossed that line. She didn't like me sleeping there all night, but what was I supposed to do? She invited me, and you know," he shrugged, "sleep had to be involved at some point. I have never met a woman so matter of fact, and she is. She spells out what she wants, and that's it. There's no grand romance, just it is what it is."

Provenza groaned and grimaced, "So, this wasn't some hour thing that you were back home that night?"

"Nope," Andy flashed a grin and rocked on his heels. "I came home the next day."

Provenza narrowed his gaze at Andy, "Oh, please tell me the events were restricted to the room? Please tell me this didn't keep occurring like out on the beach or anywhere else."

"Nope," Andy shook his head. "It was just the room, a few times. It was a nice room. She was just weird about even going to eat something together. She kept saying we aren't a couple, which I get, but hello, we were both hungry after all that. The most we did together outside sleeping together was eat breakfast on the balcony, and that was only because it was room service, and she didn't even sit down for that. No, even the night before, she sent me out on my own to get my own dinner and said she wasn't hungry. She stayed behind in the room to take a bath or whatever. Oh, I guess we did get massages the next morning," he nodded.

"Massages!" Provenza's eyes flew open as he screamed. "Do not tell me anything more. I don't want to hear it."

"Calm down," Andy shook his head. "Nothing happened with that. It was relaxing and part of some package she got." He was going to say more, but the elevator finally arrived at their floor. The door opened, and Provenza groaned instantly as they noted Sharon was on the elevator, along with two patrol officers.

Andy met Sharon's gaze and gave her a quick nod as he and Provenza stepped onto the elevator. He nodded to the patrol officers as well, "Afternoon, Captain, officers."

Provenza just nodded, the officers grumbled their greeting, and Sharon cleared her throat, "Afternoon, lieutenants."

Andy looked to the floor and sighed as he noted her standing there. She had a stack of paperwork in her hands and was wearing a black pant suit with a blouse. He decided to see what she was thinking, "Working for New Year's, Captain?"

The elevator stopped, and the patrol officers got off on the floor below, while Sharon cleared her throat, "No, I'm off, thankfully. Did I hear your division went to some modified schedule?"

"Chief has us sharing the load," Provenza explained. "Flynn and I are on until almost midnight tonight. So, Captain," he smirked at her, "big plans tonight?" The elevator continued now with just the three of them.

"Actually, I do have plans. I'm going to a party thrown by a friend. I'm rather excited to get out this evening," she gave him a half smile. "I hope your division isn't too busy, and I sincerely hope my division isn't called out for anything regarding your division."

"Captain, I don't want to see anyone from your division tonight, believe me," Provenza smirked at her. "I've seen enough of you lately with that trip, and we all know Flynn, here, has too."

"Hey!" Andy turned to glare at Provenza. He turned back toward Sharon, "So, a party tonight, huh? Are you taking some date? Do you need some date?"

"No," she said firmly at the same moment Provenza smacked Andy on the back of his head. "I'm going alone, which is what I want. My friend, Gavin is throwing the party."

"Gavin," Andy put his finger to his mouth and continued, "wait, the lawyer, right?"

"Yes, that Gavin," she rolled her eyes. The elevator door opened, "This is me. Good luck with work, gentlemen," she said as she stepped around them, her perfume lingering in the air. Andy let out a small sigh as he smelled it.

"Captain," he called out and she turned back briefly as he started to speak, "red, that's a great color on you," he nodded to her blouse. "It's very festive." He winked. She rolled her eyes at him and turned to walk away. They could hear her heels clicking as the elevator closed.

"What is wrong with you?" Provenza smacked Andy's head again.

"Hey! You're giving me a headache," Andy reached up to rub his head.

"I was hoping I was knocking some sense into you. Idiot. Your little fling with her is over. You told me that. You don't go around flirting with the captain, specifically the captain of FID, telling her she has a nice blouse!" Provenza yelled and gestured in the elevator. It arrived on the ground floor in the parking garage, and the stepped off it.

"Yeah, well, whatever. It's over. She's not going to write me up. She knows what I was talking about. The lingerie she had on at the hotel, it was red," he said as a small grin formed on his face, and his mind started to wander. He was pulled out of it when he was smacked on the back of the head again.

"I have told you I don't want to hear it. THAT was way too much information. Now, I'll never get that out of my head, the image of the captain wearing that color red as lingerie. Flynn, now I'm sick to my stomach."

"Well, you've really hurt my head," he rubbed it.

"This whole thing was a bad idea, and now, you're walking around the building almost drooling thinking about every encounter with her. You said it's over, so get her out of your mind. We've got work to do. Get in the car," Provenza pointed and walked to the driver door. Andy continued to rub his head and sighed.

"Oh, I'm trying to get her out of my mind, but there was something in the way she looked at me when she got off the elevator," he gestured with his hand, pointing it at Provenza as they climbed into the car. "I have a feeling this fling is far from over. I'm going to find out."

Andy and Provenza finished their odd shift hours as per the chief's instruction for the night. She didn't want anyone or everyone having to work the shift, so she'd split it up, but that made it almost worse for some. Thankfully, Provenza and Andy came out of their part of the shift without a murder call out and wished the same luck to Julio and Tao as they came on shift for the next part of the evening. The chief and Gabriel were taking the shift after that. Andy didn't want to think about work anymore for the night. He had other thoughts.

His thoughts centered around the look she-the captain or Sharon or whatever he was supposed to call her-had given him in the elevator. The two really hadn't discussed names for each other, which was odd in the situation they were now in, but it hadn't been a topic. In fact, not much had been a topic of conversation. They'd been together a few times, and each time, they'd had their fun, and he'd gone on his way, except this last time at the beach. As Andy drove in his car now at the end of his shift, he thought back to that day, realizing just how awkward it had been.

"Thank you for coming to the hotel for this," she said in an almost matter of fact tone when they had finished the first round. The two were sprawled on the bed, not touching each other, and while Andy was lying on his back looking at the ceiling, she was on her side looking at the wall.

"Sure, thanks for the invite," he told her.

"You're welcome to go now," she cleared her throat to tell him. "I told you we didn't need to worry about dinner. We can be done here."

"We are?" he asked and propped himself up on his elbow hoping she would look at him. She didn't. "No offense, but I drove down here, yeah, it's not that far, but I drove down here for the night. Like, I'm expecting us to do that again at least a couple more times." He ran his hand up her side over the sheet. She didn't move or respond to that, and after doing that a few times, he stopped.

She continued to stay on her side, "Oh, well, I hadn't thought you would stay all night. I'm not here to get wrapped up in a romance. I honestly thought you'd leave after this. I know I didn't clarify it on the phone, or maybe I should have said that while I'm staying you aren't, but I figured we'd finish, and you would leave. It was fun."

"Yeah, but that doesn't have to end right now. We've got all night before we have to leave tomorrow," he explained.

"I suppose you can stay and use the massage package I have for the morning. The room came with a couple massage, but let me be clear we aren't a couple," she sighed, still looking away.

"I'd like that. I know what we are, or I should say what we aren't. No string attached. Will you look at me, please?" he asked.

"I'm going to get a bath," she shook her head and continued to stare at the wall. "I think you should go and find some dinner or something, especially if this is going to continue all night. I'll see you in a couple hours."

"Okay," he said slowly and sighed. He shook his head and rolled over to find his clothing. He slowly got dressed while she stayed rooted to her spot. He stood when he was dressed and looked back at her, still on her side in the bed. "Want me to bring you anything? Want me to wait on you to go with me?"

"Just my robe, there," she gestured. "I don't want any food, and I don't want to go anywhere. I just want to relax in a bath."

"Want this red lingerie too?" he bent over to pick it up off the floor. "Nice taste. Good color. It looked good on you, the solid red, almost like you were a Santa. It certainly did the trick with me," he grinned, hoping she would look up at him. She didn't.

"It was something I had at home," she sighed. "It's just a simple red slip. It is Christmas, I realize. Just put it there on the end of the bed. I'll see you in a couple hours."

"Okay," he sighed. "I'll take a room key and see you later."

She didn't say anything more, and he left the room. As he thought about that now, here in the car, he shook his head, knowing that she hated that he'd stayed all night. It was what it was. It worked, and he didn't see what the big deal was about staying all night. Nothing had come of it. They had their fun, and the two had gone their separate ways in the morning. He'd ordered room service for breakfast first, not sure of what she wanted because she'd gone for a very early walk on the beach, even leaving the room before he started to wake up. He'd had a fruit tray, eggs, and toast waiting when she got back, but she picked at things like a bird instead of sitting down with him to eat a regular meal. When they got ready to leave, she had even told him to leave first, as she wanted to get one last shower after they'd slept together one more time that morning. Andy now nodded to himself that he had to know if she wanted to do this again.

Twenty minutes later, he found himself knocking on her condo door. He knew where she lived because it had been on the email she'd sent him with the hotel instructions. He'd even mentioned it to her, that he had her address. She'd shrugged it off, as if she didn't care or mind, and now, here he was, just after midnight, so now it was January 1st. He was at her door and hoping they could have another enjoyable night to start off the new year.

He knocked again. He waited, but she didn't answer. He rested his arm against the door and sighed. That's when he remembered she said she was going to Gavin's party. He'd even thought about it earlier in the evening, wondering if she was taking a guy, meeting a guy, or picking up a guy at the party. He listened to see if she was really home or was even home entertaining someone. She wasn't. The condo was silent, so he turned and started back to the elevator, now defeated. He had high hopes that showing up here tonight, the two could maybe enjoy each other another night, another holiday, but she wasn't home.

He waited for the elevator again and dug out his phone, intent on calling Provenza. He knew the guy would be up drinking, and he wanted to make sure he wasn't sitting in a bar in need of a ride. Provenza was normally good about that, but Andy didn't want to get all the way home and have Provenza call him then. He wanted to check on him now before making the long drive home.

"What are you doing here in my building?" he heard and snapped his head up when the elevator opened. His eyes darted around, taking in her dress and tousled appearance. She had her heels in her hand and looked like she'd had a couple drinks. She had on a black, knee-length cocktail dress. It had a simple bead design on it, but he didn't think he'd seen her look better than she did in that dress. He shook his head.

"I, ahh, came over here to see if you wanted to enjoy each other's company one more time?" he told her as he almost asked it in a question format. "Look, I was so focused that I forgot you were out for the evening. I know you've been at a party and maybe have other plans. I'm sure you've had a few drinks. Not to worry," he raised his hands, "I'll go. I just thought we were on the same page earlier today. At least let me help you get to your door, and I'll go. I know this is breaking all the rules you've set. I'm sorry I showed up here."

She stood there, and he nodded that she was probably stunned to see him and slightly drunk too. He put his arm on her back to make sure she was steady enough to walk down the hall. She started to walk when his hand touched her back, and then he leaned in a little closer, "You didn't drive home, did you?"

"No," she shook her head and spoke quietly as she held out her key. He'd noted she had it in her hand when she got off the elevator. "Gavin hired two drivers tonight to take people home. He sent me home. I had a couple drinks earlier, but I'm fully aware of things now," she said and turned to him now at her door. She looked up at him, and he looked at her.

Neither one was sure who started the kiss, but quickly, the two were kissing and arms were flying around, grasping at clothing. Soon, clothing started to move, shift, and be discarded, while Sharon fumbled for the door. Andy heard the lock click, and he pushed open the door with his foot as the two continued to pull at each other and their clothing. He started walking her backward toward the condo now that the door was open. Her back opened the door more as clothing started to fly. He kicked his shoe and heard it hit the wall behind her inside the condo. Once he was inside the condo, he fumbled with his foot behind him and kicked at the door to close it.

"You sure you want to do this?" Andy whispered in her ear. "I'm not here to take advantage."

"I'm in complete control," she sighed. "I didn't invite anyone home with me tonight."

"Where's the bedroom?" he asked as the two continued to kiss and move slowly across the condo.

"We're not using the bedroom," she said breathlessly and shook her head. "That's not happening. No time. I can't have you staying. I need this to happen and for you to go home. Here, now," she nodded to where they were.

"Couch?" he asked, nodding to it. She nodded back, and they moved toward it. "I won't stay if you want to use the bedroom."

"No, we're doing this right now, and then you are leaving," she said adamantly. "It's going to be now or never."

"Okay," he replied between kisses. He put his hands in her hair, and the two moved toward the couch, with things progressing quickly.

He wasn't sure how much later it was, but he knew he hadn't been there long. Andy sighed as he sat on the couch looking out at her spectacular view. Fireworks could still be seen over the city. He knew it was well beyond midnight, but it didn't feel that late. They hadn't spent a lot of time together, and now, he was fumbling in the dark for some of his clothing. He'd tried to turn on the lamp, but he realized she must have them on a switch too because he couldn't turn it on. She'd disappeared down the hall, telling him she was going to use the bathroom. It was awkward. It felt awkward. Something about all this in her home now felt odd, but he couldn't place it. She was an odd one. He wasn't sure if she had enjoyed it or thought it was the worst idea ever. He continued to fumble, grateful he'd found some of his clothing. His hands stumbled across a stack of magazines, now on the floor. He blindly reached down and picked them up. Andy put them on her coffee table and let out a long sigh.

"I think you should go," she said. That had him snapping his head toward her, and he found her standing at the hallway entrance, her arms crossed and now in a long sweater. He didn't see any leggings or pants, and he found himself staring. The hallway light was just enough for him to see her there.

"Look, I hope this way okay, my coming by here tonight. After I found out you weren't home, this wasn't my plan," he sighed.

She nodded, "Coming here and sleeping with me was your plan. I understand that. I am okay with that, but I feel this needs to end. It's a new year now, and I think we need to end this. It's been fun, but it has run its course. I assume you are cleaned up now and can go?"

"Did I do something wrong to get this response?" he gestured. "I can stay for more." She was still standing there, her head against the wall.

"No," she sighed. "This was what it was. We can't keep doing this. I think you need to finish dressing and go. I'd had a fun evening. You were the final piece to that. My slight buzz is wearing off now, and I just need to get some clarity. Thank you for the fun."

"I'm working on it," he sighed. "I can't find my shirt or socks." She flipped a switch, and the lights came on in the room. He stood and leaned down to pick up her black dress, the gorgeous black dress she'd quickly discarded, and he'd now found by the end table.

Sharon nodded to him when he handed it to her. The two squinted at the brightness and started looking for his clothing. "Your socks are here," she walked to the entryway table and picked them up off the floor.

"That dress was wow," he said as he whistled through his teeth. "Obviously, it did something for me." He looked around the room and found her still dark Christmas tree in the corner. "What's up with all the angels? I feel like they are staring at us. I'm glad I didn't see this before, or I'm not sure I could have done this out here with the angel ornaments."

"I like angels," she rolled her eyes. "Things went just fine with my ornaments," she shook her head, irritated that he was commenting on her décor. "Look, this isn't going to turn into more tonight. I'm going to bed."

"I know. I can't find my shirt," he said, looking around again. She looked too, and then she walked to the front door, opened it, and she nodded to him.

"It's here,' she said as she stepped into the hall and picked it off the floor where it must have landed when they were getting started. "It's already on its way out. I think you need to go. This was fun. I just can't get involved any further. It needs to end. You did nothing wrong. It was good," she shrugged. "Let's just start the year off on a new foot. Thank you for all of this," she said and stuck out her hand to shake his. He looked at it and eyed her. He shook it, almost afraid he was being rude if he didn't, but it felt very odd to him.

"Look, I hope we are okay and can be civil at work," he said as he walked to the door. She had his shirt on the tip of her finger.

"We're fine," she said, crossing her arms after he took his shirt. "That's why this needs to end now. We need to stay professional. I can't keep doing this."

"Okay," he nodded. "I had a good time even if I wasn't here even an hour," he chuckled.

"Hmm, yes, it was fun after my evening out. I'm going to get some sleep. This was a good agreement. Thank you for sticking to most of it," she looked up at him. "Let's just call this what it was-two colleagues helping each other through the holidays."

"Most of it?" he asked.

"I mean, I set the rule for not in Los Angeles. I know we just broke it. Let's not worry about that. This was a good way for us to end," she nodded. "It's a new year now. We can go back to our lives."

"Okay," he said slowly and put on his shirt. He'd worn a t-shirt, so he just threw it on over his head. "For what it's worth, I don't think you'll want to just walk away. Except for tonight, you've been the one asking me to come to you. I'm okay with that. In fact, it's been a holiday thing, so let me just leave you with this. I'll plan to see you again on Valentine's Day, Captain," he nodded and saluted her as he started down the hall, his shoes still in his hand. He'd put them on in the elevator where he could go over the events of the last hour.