"Get in that car, now!" Provenza yelled at Andy and pointed to the passenger door. "It's a good thing the chief was hungry because your mouth was about to get you in trouble."

"I'm sorry," Andy said when he finally sat down in the car and looked over at Provenza who was also getting situated in his seat. Andy gestured with his hand, "It's been a long week, and I'm completely disgusted about this case."

"It's another murder, some idiot, and finally, we caught him. Not to be insensitive, but what is it about this particular case? Most of the time, it's obvious when one bothers you, but this one, friend hates friend. We see that all the time."

"It's Saturday morning! How are you now aware of that? We're back here after chasing around the clues to nab this dirt bag, and it's finally time to close this out on a Saturday. I can't believe we are working on a Saturday!" Andy yelled.

Provenza turned to him, still sitting in the parking garage, "We work Saturdays all the time. What's going on? Do you have plans? I know we've been working around the clock this week and haven't had time to catch up with one another, but what is it? Oh, please tell me you have some hot date, Flynn. Finally," he rolled his eyes, "tell me you are ready to get back out there."

"No! I told you I'm not interested in dating, at least no one here. I told you I've been talking to Sharon more and more," he sighed.

Provenza scowled, "Let me guess-you were going to drive all the way there again. I thought you were done with that, Flynn. When is the last time you saw her?"

"Last month," he blurted out and closed his eyes then in a sigh. Andy hadn't told Provenza he'd been getting more and more serious about Sharon. It just hadn't come up lately. Work had been crazy, and honestly, he was trying to keep things quiet because he was sure the moment he said something, the relationship would blow up on him. He didn't want that, and with that in mind, it was like if he kept it quiet, it was keeping it away from a disaster.

"You saw the captain last month?" Provenza asked, his mouth hanging open as they left the parking garage. Provenza had volunteered for the food run only because Andy had been ready to blow his top at work. He'd been short and argumentative with everyone, and Provenza knew Andy needed to get out of the building. Plus, as he'd told Andy on the elevator, going for food meant he could decide where to go. "Why haven't I heard about this, Flynn?"

"I've just been trying to figure it out," Andy shrugged.

"I though for some reason that you two were off again, that you were dealing with Hannah, but that was it. I figured something had happened," Provenza glanced at him.

"Something did," Andy nodded. "Sharon finally admitted she cares about me," he gave Provenza a small smile. "We're, we're working on things," he gestured with his hand. "Of course," he said as he got louder and started to get frustrated, "we can't do that when I'm stuck here in Los Angeles!"

"Flynn, I'm sure even the captain understands work. I can't believe I'm saying this, but surely, she'll still want to see your sorry self another weekend," he eyed him.

"It's Hannah's birthday!" Andy blurted out. "She was born a year ago today!"

Provenza let out a long sigh and nodded, "Right, Flynn, I'm sorry; I forgot."

"She's one!" Andy exclaimed. "The one thing I'm trying not to be is a deadbeat dad. My kid, the kid I sighed away my rights and will one day know that, is turning one. I've been trying to be a better dad to her than to my older two kids, and here we are-first big day, her first birthday, and I'm stuck here in Los Angles."

"I'm sure Hannah will be okay, Flynn. I mean, she's one. She doesn't know it's her birthday. It's the thought that counts. Can't you go see her next weekend? Wait," he nodded. "We're on call."

"Right, we're on call, and we were stuck here last weekend too. It's not even that. I had plans to be there today, on her birthday, for her party. Sharon's dad will be there, and I'm looking worse and worse to the guy."

"Her dad? Hard to imagine the captain having a father," he chuckled lightly.

Andy smirked at him and gestured, "Yes, her dad will be there. I told you I met him after the funeral. Well, what I haven't told you is that he ahh, he and I had a chat, more than a chat last month."

"What the?" Provenza looked to him, shock on his face. "Flynn what happened last month, and why am I just hearing about this now? I'm supposed to be your best friend."

"It's all complicated. You know that there are many people involved in a relationship, often too many people," he grumbled and ran his hand through his hair. "So, I was with Sharon and Hannah last month. I was staying at her place," he explained, as Provenza turned toward him, eyeing him. Andy raised his hand in defense, "Yeah, yeah, we're getting closer. I'm staying with her, like for the weekend. It's not just a well," he gestured, "you know. I mean, she's not just a woman, any woman. Provenza, I care about her, and we're a couple now, I guess. I mean, I want that, but with that, I'm staying with her in Flagstaff."

"Oh, would you just get to the point!" Provenza yelled. "I don't need the Dr. Phil analysis!"

"The point is Sharon and I were surprised my last visit. It was Saturday morning, and we were having a lazy Saturday," he shrugged. "She and I had finally talked. Hannah had been up earlier, and she was taking a nap. While she was doing that," Andy stopped talking a moment, a small smile on his face.

"Oh, wipe off the grin," Provenza swatted at him. "I can imagine what you two were doing," he scowled. "Go on."

"I was in the kitchen making breakfast in my boxers, and Sharon's dad and son walked in, surprising her with a visit."

Provenza's hand hit the steering wheel, "Are you kidding me? What did she do?"

"She came running out when I called for her, and yeah, that wasn't the best idea either because of what she was wearing," he sighed and shook his head. "Let's just say it's not what you want your dad and son to see."

"Please tell me for my own sake she had something on!" Provenza yelled.

"She did, just not much," Andy added. "Anyway, we ended up being there together all weekend. Her dad and son stayed at a hotel, but needless to say, it was awkward. While I'd at least met her dad, I hadn't met Ricky, not officially, and I did. She told the kids about me after that, and this last month now, she's been answering to the firing squad with them. Her dad and I had a heart to heart, and I know he doesn't think she's ready for me, and with that, that I'm not good enough for her. I wanted to be there this weekend, for my daughter, for Sharon, and to show her family I'm trying to be a stand-up guy, but instead, I'm here with you."

"Well, when's the party?" Provenza gestured.

Andy checked his watch, "Crap, it's in another hour. Let me call Sharon now before it starts. It's nothing big, Sharon, her dad, son, the lady she works with at the flower shop, and I think two other people she knows. I can't believe I'm missing it all. I haven't officially met these people, and she was going to introduce me."

"An hour!" Provenza yelled. "Flynn! How am I supposed to help you when you keep things from me? You've been moping around work all day, and here, you tell me your kid is having a party in an hour. I can't even come up with an excuse to get you there then."

Andy just nodded as he pulled up her number. He put up his hand to silence Provenza while he waited for Sharon to answer, "Hey," he smiled softly. "Just wanted to call before the party. Provenza and I are on a food run for work." Andy listened while she spoke, and Provenza eyed him as he did, "Yeah, we're wrapping up, but it's going to be all day. I hate this; I hate myself for missing it all. I know," he nodded. Finally, after more silence, Andy nodded, "I miss you too. I'll call later."

Andy dropped his head and sighed while Provenza continued to drive. He had decided to get sub sandwiches for the team. It was just after a normal lunchtime now, and the team hoped to wrap the case by 5:00, a normal workday by standards, but with it being a Saturday, a day they weren't scheduled to work, it was a very long, full day. "So?" Provenza asked.

"She's got the party ready," he shook his head. "I can hear both excitement and disappointment in her voice. I'm afraid this will just be another strike against me. She's started to let her guard down with me, and I worry this will cause her to pull back, to withdraw and not trust me. I hate it."

"Flynn, even if you left this second, you would miss the whole party. You should have told me," Provenza told him.

"And what?" Andy said, clearly exasperated. "Sorry, Chief, but I can't work today because it's my kid's birthday. Oh, what's that guys? You think my adult kid will understand, yeah, well, it's for my baby. Oh, you didn't know I had a baby? Yeah, I have a one-year-old, and when you've picked up your jaw from the floor, here's even more. I have a daughter with Sharon Raydor, right, the one in the same. Oh, and if you really want to know why she retired and moved, it's mainly because of me. She couldn't stand being in the same city as me. We really were just sleeping around any chance we got, and man, she was great in bed. Funny thing is that now, we actually care about each other. Oh, did I forget to mention I signed away my rights to my kid because I've been such a lousy father and drunk most of my adult life? Yeah, Sharon, she's as crazy as you think because she's even now giving my sorry self a chance. So, there it is, Chief and team-I need to make a what, seven- or eight-hour drive to see my baby's birthday. I'd like to see my baby's mother too where I'd planned to make up for lost time since we see each other once a month or so. There you have it. While I leave all of you to finish the case, I'll just be seeing my kid and sleeping with Raydor," he grumbled. "You really wonder why I didn't say anything?"

Provenza listened and was surprisingly quiet. Finally, he said, "Look, Flynn, about the party-I can't get you there for it now. I know this whole thing is a mess. Let's get lunch for everyone, get back to work, and let's see if we can get you out of there at a decent hour, okay? I know you, and if you have even an hour with them, you're going to drive over there for the weekend, aren't you?"

"Well, yeah," Andy nodded. "I'd drive all that way and back to see them for an hour this weekend. Look, I don't expect you to get it, but it's about proving I am changing, that I can change, and that I can be there for them. Sure, Sharon gets that work comes in the way sometimes, but I can't let them down this weekend. It's too important. I don't expect you to get it, a one-year-old birthday, but it's everything to me, Provenza."

Provenza nodded, "Let's see what we can do."

Andy didn't have much luck getting out of work early that afternoon. In fact, it was almost as if the odds were stacked against him. Provenza had mentioned to Chief that it would be good for Andy to get to a meeting, but Chief, as she could be at times, was insensitive to the issue. She told Andy that he could catch a meeting that evening after work was over, and if he needed to find one, she was sure that Fritz could help Andy find one. Realizing that Andy wasn't going to get out of work early, he tried to work as quickly as he could to wrap the case. Unfortunately, that didn't come until almost 7:00 that evening.

"Lieutenant, we are going for drinks. Care to join us? I'm sure Lieutenant Provenza could use a ride," Julio smiled.

"No thanks," Andy waved to them. "I am going to enjoy what is left of my weekend," he said, grabbing his keys quickly. "Ahh, I guess I'll see everyone at 8:00 AM Monday morning," he threw a wave to them as he walked quickly toward the doors. He caught Provenza's eye and gave him a nod.

Andy rushed to the elevator, and he turned to find Provenza following him, "You going to drive all the way there even now with it this late?" Provenza asked.

"Yeah," Andy nodded. "I figure I can make it by 3:00 or 4:00 this morning because there's a time change too. Look, it's not idea, but it is what it is. I'm going to surprise Sharon. She thinks the weekend is a lost cause, but this is too important. I'm sure you think I'm crazy, but Provenza, this is my life, my future, my family. Traffic should be light driving through the desert. I'll be fine. I'll get some coffee to stay awake. I can get there by 4:00 at the latest, hopefully, and then, I've got time. Call me crazy, but I may even get a little shut eye there tomorrow evening and drive straight back to work here. If I leave by midnight, I could be back for work. That gives me about 21 hours there."

"You really are an idiot, Flynn, an idiot stuck on the captain," he sighed. "Just, just be careful," he looked up and patted Andy on the shoulder. "Listen, tell the little one, well," he rolled his eyes, "what am I saying? She's one, but when you stop for that cup of coffee, get her something from me. Here's some cash. Get her a stuffed animal or something and take a picture of it with her so I know you didn't just keep the money."

Andy raised his eyes at Provenza and took the money he was handing him, nodding, "You're going soft in your old age, Provenza. I know you like my kid," he winked at him. "I'll get her something. Thanks. Call me later if you want. I'll just be driving. Catch me up on the game scores. That would be helpful, and I'll be in touch. As long as there aren't any problems, I'll be back at work on Monday."

Provenza gave him a small nod, "Just use your head, Flynn, for once. This whole mess started because you thought with other body parts. Think with your head. I realize the captain will be part of this," he gestured in the air, "for good, but the idea of you settling down with her in any way," he shook his head. "I didn't see it, but you seem to be thrilled."

Andy stepped onto the elevator and nodded, looking back, "She's wonderful, Provenza. I don't know where this will go because we both have our issues, but I'm stepping up for my kid. I'm doing that. I love my kid, and honestly," he shook his head. "I can't believe I'm telling you this before I've said it to Sharon, but I love her." The doors started to close, and Provenza rolled his eyes.

"We may need to have that head examined Flynn!" he yelled out as the doors closed.

Andy raced to get out of the city, making no stops until he could see the Los Angeles city lights in his rearview mirror. He had been working on this same case for days, and it felt good to get away from it. Thank goodness it was over, and at least with Monday, they would have a fresh start to the week. He couldn't believe he had missed his baby girl's first birthday party. Sharon had sent him a few pictures from the party earlier in the day, and he'd barely had time to stop and look at them. Chief had been in rare form about getting the work done, partly because Pope was breathing down her neck and also partly due to the fact she had told the team her parents were on their way to L.A., and she was always a mess when they were in town. Yes, he understood it, but it really had been the perfect storm of problems. Now, he was on his way, and by his calculations, even with gas and a quick dinner stop, he should be to Sharon's place by 3:30. He wanted to surprise her, a little at least. He knew that if he called her now and told her he was on his way, she'd stay up waiting and worrying. He didn't want that. He'd told her he would call when he could; she knew that, and he would call when he got to town. Sure, it would wake her, but he didn't think she'd mind hearing that he was just on the other side of the door from her. Yes, he'd have a few hours in town with Sharon and Hannah, and he hoped to make the best of it.

Provenza called Andy around 11:30 to check in on him, and it was clear Provenza had been sleeping in his own recliner at home. The conversation didn't last long, but Andy did ask about the baseball scores. The two talked for a few minutes, and then, they hung up, not before Provenza asked if Andy had bought anything yet with his money. Andy assured him he was stopping again soon and would purchase a stuffed animal. His chance came a half hour later when he stopped at a large all-night truck stop for gas and another cup of coffee.

Inside the gas station, Andy found a wall of stuffed toys, things he was sure truck drivers picked up for their families while out on the road. It didn't take him long to study the animals; one just stuck out to him. It was a medium-sized pink pig, about the size of a large travel mug, which he noted were on a stand next to the stuffed animals. He picked up the pig and saw it had a tail that moved. This would be perfect. There was something even fitting about the pig's face; it just reminded him of Provenza. He grinned and chuckled lightly, yes, standing in a truck stop after midnight with a stuffed animal pig. This would be perfect. He checked the price tag and noted it was in Provenza's budget. Andy took a picture of both the pig and price tag, knowing his friend would ask, and he sent it to him as a message, "Ta da! Here is your gift. I'm sure Hannah will love her pig, and I've named him Louie."

"You got her a pig?" the reply came a minute later as he was standing in line with his pig and cup of coffee.

"Sure did, and if you don't like it, buy her your own gift next year," he told him. "She's my kid, and I'm not going anywhere. In fact, just put the date on your calendar. It's important enough for you to remember it."

Andy continued with the rest of his drive, and every now and then, he glanced to the passenger seat where Louie the Pig was seated. Each time, he just chuckled at the sight. Hannah would like it. It was pink, after all, and she liked a pink blanket and bunny she had, so he thought she'd like the pig too. It meant a lot to Andy that Provenza had done that, even if he continually messed around with the guy. Provenza was still a good friend, and he made a note to be more open with the guy about things with Sharon. Yes, when he returned from his trip, he planned to tell Provenza all about it, everything. Well, he smiled to himself, maybe he wouldn't tell Provenza everything.

The last few hours of his trip moved along rather quickly. He lost himself in thought, thinking a lot about Sharon and Hannah. While this was all new, this relationship with Sharon, he was sure it was something that he wanted forever. It was way too soon to talk about any permanent plans or changes, but his feelings for her were growing stronger by the day, even by the minute. He made the last hour of the drive without much traffic, and he found himself pulling into her quiet complex almost exactly at 3:30. He was exhausted, but it was a good exhaustion, one knowing that he would get to curl up with a woman he did love. He couldn't tell Sharon yet; she wasn't ready for that. He wasn't sure their relationship was ready for that, but he recognized the feelings growing inside of him. He pulled out his phone after he parked to call her. He glanced to her unit, hoping she wasn't too alarmed at his call.

"Hey," he said quietly into the phone. "I know it's late."

"Are you just leaving work?" she said in her sleepy state. "I didn't want to call earlier and bother you. I know you've had a rough week, and I also knew you'd call when you could."

"Yeah, about that," he looked around and opened his car door. "Come to your door," he said into the phone and added, "please."

"What?" she asked, almost breathless. "Andy, what?"

"I'm here," he told her. "I couldn't let you down; I couldn't let Hannah down. We worked all day, and I finally left this evening. I've been driving as fast as I could, well, just over the speed limit, but I made it. I wanted to be here Sharon."

Andy started to walk toward her door, and as he did, he saw lights come on inside of it. Sharon was quiet on her end, and then, he saw her door open. She stepped out into the dim light, the phone still at her ear. He stopped just to stare at her. Her long hair was all swept to one side on her shoulder, and she just looked beautiful to him. He took a deep breath, and before he could say anything, she spoke.

"You came," she said, shaking her head with a small smile. As Andy approached, he could see tears forming in her eyes.

"Nothing could keep me away," he said, opening his arms to her. She moved quickly to him, and he wrapped her in an embrace. Sharon quickly had her lips on him, and he returned the kiss. She was frantic, shocked he'd come, but desperate for more.

"I can't believe you drove all the way here. Her party, it's over, and you still came."

"You needed to know," he told her between kisses. "You needed to know that I wouldn't walk away, that I wouldn't give up. I will do anything for you and Hannah," he said, pulling back slightly to look at her.

Sharon let out an almost nervous laugh as she looked at him. She shook her head and pursed her lips, "Andy Flynn, you certainly surprised me. I don't know what to say."

"There's nothing to say. Let's go inside. I'm hoping to find a nice warm bed for the night," he flashed a small smile at her.

"You won't even be here 24 hours, will you?" she asked as he wrapped his arm around her back. The two walked toward her door.

"Nope," he shook his head. "It doesn't matter. I know we could barely stand being in the same room for five minutes, but I'm telling you now, Sharon, that whether we have five minutes, five hours, or more, I'll do anything right now to be here with you."

Sharon led him in the door and turned to lock it when he was inside. She ran her hand up his arm, her eyes sparkling, "We'd better make the most of your time," she grinned. "I hope you aren't too tired."

"For you?" he winked. "Let's make the most of the time we have."