"What's the place like?" Rusty leans back on the sofa, mobile phone to his ear, smirking when he places his stocking clad feet onto the coffee table. She wasn't there to yell at him, as she usually did. Well, she didn't exactly yell, it was more of a look and he just knew what it was about. It was all she had to do sometimes for him to know exactly what was going on.
"Rather large, actually. Well, larger than I thought it was going to be. Everyone here appears to be incredibly friendly. I managed to bring your flu with me-" Sharon smiles softly, tea in hand as she sits on the sofa, allowing the drink to warm her hands.
"I'm sorry." He says quietly, "How are you feeling now? Is there anything I can send you or...I don't really know what I'm allowed to do in this situation. I...I want to help."
She shakes her head, as if he can see her, "That won't be necessary. I'm doing much better now."
"Andy take good care of you then, huh?" Rusty smirks, knowing exactly how she would probably react.
Sharon rolls her eyes, "Yes, he did, actually. Made sure I was well hydrated, provided me with cold cloths when my fever was breaking, kept me warm when I had the chills."
"I bet he did." The young man attempts to keep himself from a chuckle, "It's been pretty lonely here. I've been thinking of getting a dog."
"We are not getting a dog, Rusty." She leans forward slightly, eyes widening with slight disbelief. However, she knew better than to take the young man seriously when he would say these things.
"Well, it's been nearly two weeks and I have no idea when you'll be back. Not to mention all the men I've had through here. I'm lonely, so lonely."
"Well, with all those men, you shouldn't be lonely at all." Sharon says, then picks her head up to notice Andy looking at her questioningly.
"Also, do I get to call Andy my 'Dad' now?" Rusty finally does let a laugh slip his lips.
"I'm going to let you go. If I don't call you again tonight, I'll speak to you tomorrow. Got it?" She blushes, looking straight ahead once more, "Love you, honey." When the boy responds in turn, she touches the screen of her mobile phone, glancing back to him, "Where have you been?"
"Went for a walk. We haven't been doing much investigating in these two weeks." Andy shakes his head slowly, "But it isn't a big deal. I managed to steal a look at Gene's car."
"I'm sure someone saw you." She sighs, leaning back against the sofa.
"I wanted them to. If he knows I'm interested in that car, he may be willing to admit to that car."
Sharon shakes her head a little, a quizzical look dons her face, "I'm sorry, I don't understand. What could Gene possibly tell you about his car?"
"I think that's one of the James Bond cars. Remember the old film? The headlights can switch to machine guns, the license plates can change with a snap of your fingers." Andy answers excitedly, "One of them was stolen when they were being loaded after the film and I think only one exists that they know the exact whereabouts of now...or something like that. Anyone else would pass and say that it was a great car, but really...it's an extraordinary one."
"And what has led you to that conclusion?"
"The front license plate, though to the normal eye looks completely fine, has a loose hinge. If you get close enough, you can see another behind it. Got to get real close though."
Sharon sets her tea down, folding her arms, "Let me get this straight, you were on your hands and knees, in front of our neighbor's house, examining the license plates of his car and you don't believe anyone was watching or would find that to be bizarre behavior?"
"Now, I didn't say that." Andy shakes his head a little, "How did you know I was on my hands and knees?" When she points to his knees, showing recent wear on a rough surface, he shrugs, "So what?"
"So what...maybe I'll go on one of these walks with you later. Make sure you keep off your hands and knees."
"You feelin' up to that? I wouldn't want you to push yourself or anything."
Sharon smiles sweetly, "Positive. Besides, I must return Margo's pot..."
"Maybe we should whip something up to cook in it to take back to her." Andy shrugs, "Can cook some of my mother's vegetable soup...she used to put pasta and a little beef in it."
"Then it isn't vegetable soup." She hums a quiet chuckle, "Sounds great though. Make two batches. We can have some during the week."
"Listen to you, planning means..." He raises an eyebrow, "Starting to feel better, Pen?"
"I'm getting there, Christopher." Sharon stands slowly, wrapping her robe around her body, tying the waist strings. "Rusty showed me how to search for recipes using my phone. I'll set up for ingredients to be delivered-" She moves closer to the kitchen area, where the man stands.
"Almost at a hundred percent, aren't ya..." Andy chuckles.
She scowls playfully toward him before wrapping her robe around herself more, "Thanks, by the way, for the care you've offered me these past few days. I greatly appreciate it all."
"It's what husbands do for their wives, Shar-"
"No, you did far more than that."
He slowly shakes his head, "I mean it. If the woman I loved was sick, I'd take care of her no matter what. You mean Jack never did that for you?"
"You know Jack." Sharon gently pats his arm as she makes her return to the sofa, "I believe I may take a nap, if that's okay."
"Of course. I said you're nearly a hundred percent, aren't there completely just yet." Andy nods. "Want some juice or water?"
"That'd be lovely, thank you."
"Sharon, just keep taking it easy. Alright?" He nods toward her, offering a soft smile.
"Yes, sir." She playfully replies, making her way back toward the bedroom.
"You should let me take you to dinner." Andy offered, "You know, for all the help you offered with that last case...also, I'm just damn hungry and I'm hoping you might be too."
Sharon tilted her head from side to side, "Rusty is going to chess appreciation after class tonight. Knowing him, he will grab a burger or something just as unhealthy when he's finished."
"So...that means..." He waves his hand slightly, indicating for her to expand on her thought.
"I'd love a bite to eat, Andy, sure."
Andy walks along the sidewalk, glancing down to her hand in the fold of his elbow, causing him to smile softly to himself. "See? This little area isn't so bad, Pen. Relaxing, actually."
"If you say so." Sharon tucks her hair behind her ear, leaning against his upper arm, not for support, just out of comfort. "Little too quiet if you ask me. Little too..."
"Much? Yeah. I noticed that." He nods, "Now, the requirements to get into this place weren't anything extravagant or over the top. Property costs here aren't expensive or anything. I mean, I've heard of people being cheap, but this is all...I mean, the cars alone are crazy expensive."
"As are most of their entertainment systems. Not all of them, but a few."
"Which makes me think the Chief was right in sending us here." Andy gently rubs her hand as it rests in the crook of his elbow. He notices a door opening not far from them, "Look there, we have movement."
"Damn it, James. Of course I was with him. What do you expect? You can't be bothered to rip yourself from that phone!" The blonde older woman called out to her husband as he opened the door.
"It's all business, Charlie!" The man yells back to her. Broad shoulders, slightly heavyset, grey beard to match his full head of silver hair, "You know it's all business."
"Lover's quarrel." Sharon says softly in Andy's ear, attempting not to stare.
"James!" The blonde woman charges from the house, toward her husband who was walking to his car. She stops abruptly. "James, there's our new neighbors. Hello!" She calls out, motioning for her husband to do the same, "You just moved into-"
"Shut up, Charlie." The other man mumbles before reaching his hand out toward the couple at the end of the sidewalk, "Jim Fieldnorth. Pleasure to finally meet you both. This is my wife, Charlotte."
"Charmed." Charlotte waves gently from the doorway, not necessarily embarrassed, but knowing they were heard, "Y'all making out around here?"
"I suppose we are, yes. I'm Penelope and this is my husband, Christopher." Sharon offers a soft smile to the pair, watching as Andy takes the other man's hand, shaking it before she's a chance to do so, "Lovely area. We saw it and just knew it was for us."
"That's nice. You'll have to get together with us guys when the game is on. We go from house to house, so I'll let you know when it all goes on." James nods, completely ignoring Sharon. Almost as if she wasn't speaking at all or that her voice meant little to nothing to him.
"Should be nice." Andy offers him a cordial smile.
"Yeah, Gary makes this great home brew. You'll love it. Anyways, I was just about to be off. Great meeting you." James nods to Andy, quickly glancing to Sharon before climbing into his car and pulling off quite quickly.
"Sorry about him." Charlotte folds her arms, "He can be temperamental."
"We all have our bad days." Andy smiles to her, "It was great meeting you, Charlie."
"You two as well. Penelope, I'll be sure to let you know when we all get together. Once or twice a week while the boys have their time. It'd be a great opportunity for you to get to know everyone." Charlotte offers her a grin, "I better get back in there, wash isn't going to hang itself on the line. Y'all have a great day."
Sharon pulls Andy slightly as the woman closes the door, "That was bizarre."
"Seemed alright. He's going to hate that I won't be sampling that brew." Andy hums a soft chuckle, "Could do you some good to get to know the girls."
She rolls her eyes a little, "Of course, but he was obviously misogynistic. His entire body screamed it. Could it be because his wife is cheating on him or because of something else?"
He shrugs, "What do you want from him?"
Sharon lets go of Andy's arm, walking ahead of him some, "A little respect would be nice."
Andy knows he made her angry. He knows this isn't the time to make her angry. Somehow, he was going to need to make it up to her .Somehow, he was going to prove to her that he respected her plenty and he thought that other man's personality was deplorable. Somehow, he was going to get Sharon Raydor to think about him, the way he thinks about her.
