They are well aware of the gossip, innuendo, and outright lies circulating about their relationship within the LAPD. Outwardly, none of it appears to bother Sharon; however, Andy is a different story. Just one look at his face, and she can see all the emotions he's trying hard to suppress: anger, worry, frustration, disappointment, and confusion. She has one eye on the road, and one eye on him as she drives them to work. The radio is on, but it's just noise. It's getting on her nerves almost as much as Andy is in this moment.

"Please tell me what you're thinking," she says as she turns off the radio.

"This is bullshit, Sharon. I guarantee you by the time we walk into work, every single person in the building will be talking about your ... you know, your …"

"You mean my missing clothing, Andy?"

"Yeah, that's exactly what I mean."

"The detectives are professionals. They know better than to divulge sensitive information."

"You can't honestly believe what you just said. Did Detective Gabriel know better? You of all people know the damage he created by opening his mouth. This case is exactly the kind of gossip people thrive on, and especially when it involves you. I hate to admit it, but there was a time, not too long ago, I would have joined in the gossip. Now, I can't stand the thought of people talking about you. I don't give a damn what they say about me, but you deserve better."

"I wish I could make you understand the whispers and stares don't bother me. I learned very early on to keep my emotions out of my work. That's the only way I can effectively do my job. I know that doesn't make me the most popular person in the place, but we've talked about this before, Andy. You know I can handle whatever I have to handle. I've been doing it a very long time, and not just at work."

"I just don't believe it doesn't get to you on some level, and I know that you have deep feelings. Honestly, the first time I saw you get emotional, when Rusty ran away, was the first time I saw you as a real person and not just some bureaucratic bitch. I know how that sounds, and I'm not proud of it but it's the truth. When I finally understood how special you are, I never again wanted to see you get hurt."

Staring straight ahead, she doesn't say another word until they pull into the parking garage. Turning the car off; she turns to Andy and gently touches his shoulder. It's hard for her to talk around the lump in her throat, but she needs to tell him how much his words, his caring means to her. His eyes meet hers, and this moment feels too big, too important. "I don't know how to tell you what your words mean to me. You make me feel vulnerable and that's scary. In my position, I can't show vulnerability; I can't show weakness, but I want you to know what's in my heart. You are in my heart, Andy. Please don't forget that. I can't show it or say it when we walk through those doors, but it's the only thing that matters. What people say about me or us doesn't matter."

"You're right; it doesn't matter," he says. "Please don't worry that I can't handle this situation. You have enough to worry about without me adding to your troubles. You don't have to handle me with kid gloves, but just promise me one thing."

"What's that?"

"I want you to stay with me until we catch this guy," he says.

"Well, I'll admit the thought of being alone right now isn't very appealing."

"Great, then it's settled. Let's get to work," he says with no small amount of false confidence.

Entering the building, she feels a slight sense of dread. She can tell herself, and Andy that other people's opinions don't matter; however, that's not 100% true. She's only human, and sometimes the gossip, rumors, and snide remarks do hurt. She knows there are people who will take great delight in hearing of her difficulties. It has been that way throughout her career. Mostly she's been impervious to it but not always. Having thick skin in her career, and her dealings with her ex-husband, hasn't always been easy. It helps tremendously to know the Major Crimes team, and especially Andy, are now on her side.

Andy is feeling the same dread in the pit of his stomach. Retirement seems more and more like a valid option at the moment. His very visible injuries, and obvious lack of success in apprehending the perp, weigh heavy on him. To top it all off, his gun is gone. Are his fellow officers, including Sharon, sizing him up and finding him lacking? He says he doesn't care what other people think of him, but he knows deep down that's not entirely true. He's no longer a young man, and he's currently feeling every single one of his years. It doesn't help that most people working in Robbery-Homicide weren't even born when he joined the force.

All eyes turn to Sharon and Andy as they enter the Robbery-Homicide Division. The room grows quiet; tension is thick in the air. Captain Martinez gestures for them to enter his office. "Please have a seat," he says. "Monroe informed me that there are items missing from your home, Captain."

"That's correct," Sharon confirms. "Items of a very personal nature."

"Okay, this is officially a robbery, as well as attempted vehicular homicide, and we'll add assaulting a police officer," Martinez says. "My people interviewed your immediate neighbors. Most of them weren't home at the time, and none of them claim to have seen anything out of the ordinary the past few days. The building manager was not much help either, but he did provide videos from the hallway and parking garage. The videos are not the best quality; Buzz is working on enhancing the images right now. When he's finished, we need you both to review them. Unfortunately, we retrieved no prints other than your own, Captain."

"So, essentially what you're telling us is your division hasn't learned a damn thing," Andy retorts.

Sharon shoots Andy a Darth Raydor look, effectively shutting him down before he can make the situation worse. It flits through her mind he assured her, not ten minutes ago, he could handle this situation.

Captain Martinez, basically ignoring Andy's statement, stands up and walks to the doorway of his office. "Detective Nelson, please join us and bring the box," says Martinez.

Sharon and Andy look on in confusion as Detective Nelson enters the office, and begins to empty the contents of a small box onto Martinez's desk.