A/N: My apologies to everyone for the slowness of these updates and updates to all of my stories. Marching band is killing me, I just got my wisdom teeth out, and I'm trying to juggle my senior year of high school and my freshman year of college on top of it all. Enough excuses, enjoy!

~oOo~

"What're you thinking about?" Andy questions, loosening the purple tie that hung around his neck and scooting his chair closer to my bed, "You look very... Pensive."

"Just thinking." I shake my head, one hand tracing up and down the clear IV tube that lead to my arm.

"About what?" He glances up at me, and I can see the pain of the past few days etched into his eyes, and maybe even a glimmer of hope for the conversation to come.

"Everything." I reply simply with a shrug of my shoulders, "So much has happened recently."

"That's life though, isn't it?" He questions, starting to reach for my hand before changing his mind and awkwardly retreating, "Sometimes everything happens at once."

"I guess so. So how was work?" I change the subject, hoping desperately to avoid the topic of tension that still hung in the air between us, "A machete?"

"Yeah." He nods, his fingers rapidly tapping his knee as his shoulders slumped.

"Are you okay?" I ask, reaching out (against my better judgement) to place my hand atop his, "What's going on?"

"I uh..." His fingers didn't cease their little dance across his knee cap, even with my hand resting there "Taylor wanted everyone to stay and work the next few days straight and I..."

"Andy..." I look at him worriedly, gently squeezing his hand, "What did you do?"

"I... I told him I couldn't because I needed to help with you and Rusty and the jackass got mad and told me I couldn't. I... gave him my badge."

I glance at him for a moment and squeeze his hand again, trying to decide whether to be mad at him, or extremely touched. He didn't have to do it, and honestly, I don't know if this is a hole I'm going to be able to dig him out of. Him doing that for me -for Rusty and I- is amazing. I'm literally forcing myself to keep from tearing up at his actions. But another part of me is furious. He spent his entire life building his career, and he's throwing it all away because I got a little lightheaded. He lost everything for this job; his family, his wife, and his friends. He's such an irrational, stubborn jackass sometimes, but he's mine. I realize a long silence has fallen between us and settle for a neutral comment.

"House husband doesn't seem a term very fitting to you."

"You're not mad?" He asks, his eyebrows shooting up with surprise as a very kissable smirk crosses his lips.

"Mad? I'm beyond mad at you but your intentions were good! I mean how can you just throw everything you've worked so hard for away like this? It's insane! You're insane!" I let out a deep breath and watch curiously as his expression changes to his typical dorky grin, "Why are you smiling? Andy this isn't funny; you're ruining your career over me!"

"Maybe it was time for a change anyway." He shrugs, "I always thought having our own restaurant would be nice."

"Our?" I question confusedly, pushing myself up in the bed, "Andy, this is a lot of information for me to be processing at once." I sigh, reaching up and covering my eyes for a moment, "I can't quit my job to help you with a dream that might not even work out."

"I'm not asking you to." He responds simply, his dark eyes glittering as he stands and steps up to my bed, reaching up and uncovering my face, his hand cradling mine, "It's just, dinner has always been something we did, and you've always been one of the people that inspired this idea, not matter how insane it is."

"Wh... What?" I stutter, looking down at my lap in an attempt to avoid his eyes, "Do you even hear yourself right now?"

"It's crazy, I know," I see him shrug in my peripherals, "but you wouldn't want me any other way."

"Andy..." I look up at him, hoping my face appeared more serious and controlled than I felt, "Think about what you're saying..." I urge, now knowing that the conversation I was trying to avoid would've been much simpler than this mess.

"Believe me, Sharon," he replies happily, "I've thought this through a hundred times. I enjoy cooking, and I've been told I'm pretty good." He grins, no doubt referring to my enjoyment the first time he had taught me how to make my very own spaghetti sauce, "And who better to be the driving force behind it than the woman who spent years making my life miserable."

"Charming." I roll my eyes at him, "You really want to do this, don't you?"

"I do. I've been looking, and I even found this little place a few blocks from the PAB! We can do this Sharon, even without you leaving Major Crimes. You'd probably be better with the interior decorating than me anyways." He adds the last part quickly, "I've always wanted to do this, and now I finally can." He reaches back for the chair and pulls it closer to the bed before sitting down, his hand never losing contact with mine.

"Andy." I look up at him, gently tapping the bed and moving over to the far side.

"Are... Are you sure?" He looks at me nervously, "I don't want to hurt you."

"I was exhausted, not shot." I reply sarcastically, "Come on, let's talk."

"Uh... Okay." He says, his voice still carrying the nervous energy his body language so clearly displayed as he kicked off his shoes and hung his jacket over the chair, "Tell me if I hurt you."

"You won't." I respond matter-of-factly, "Andy, it's okay." I try to reassure him.

He rolls his eyes and lets out a puff of air before settling in next to me, "There's no arguing with you, is there?"

"Nope." I smile and rest my head against his chest, his arm wrapping around my shoulder, "You should've figured that out a while ago."

"I did." He chuckles, the vibration from his laughter ringing against my skull, "Some things never change."

"Andy, can I tell you something?" I question, hoping I seemed more confident than I was feeling as I snuggled closer into his chest.

"Of course, Beautiful." He smiles before pressing a kiss to my forehead, "You can tell me anything."

"You're one of the best damned cops I ever knew." I admit, closing my eyes and making myself comfortable, "You made my life a living hell, but it was always because you did the wrong thing for the right reasons. And I can't help but feel like you're doing that again; losing your job because of me is no little thing, and I can't help but be mad at myself for your doing that. I really want you to think about the implications of what you're doing, please?"

"I have." He says again, my head rising and falling with the gentle rhythm of his breaths, "It wasn't wrong. Talking back to Taylor, giving him my badge, I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I made a promise to be here for you and Rusty, and you need me right now. I don't care about the implications. Not now. I'll get everything figured out, you don't need to worry. Just let me hold you while you fall asleep, it's such a nice feeling."

"It is." I admit, and I feel his arm loosen around my shoulder. He was already drifting off, and I wasn't far behind.

~oOo~

The gentle sound of a door clicking closed shakes me from my slumber. I slowly open my eyes to see Andy with an arm still draped around me, a small smile playing on his lips even as he slept.

"Captain?" A hesitant voice asks and I turn my head to see Marissa standing there, her light blue eyes glittering with amusement, "You really shouldn't have overnight visitors." She smirks.

"I can wake him up." I reply, hoping I don't sound as saddened by the prospect as I feel, "He should probably go home anyways."

"He's fine." She shakes her head and picks up the clipboard attached to the foot of my bed, "It's morning anyways. Just for future reference, he shouldn't have stayed but I couldn't bring myself to wake either of you." She admits sheepishly.

"Thank you." I smile, looking away from her for a moment as I placed a gentle kiss to Andy's cheek, "Andy, wake up."

He lets out a grunt and pulls me closer to him, sending both Marissa and myself into a light fit of giggles, "Lieutenant, the Captain can go home as soon as you wake up." She grins again, signing off on some of my paperwork.

"Did you hear that Andy, I can go home." I whisper, placing another kiss to his cheek, "Then I can start planning for our restaurant." I grin, knowing that would probably catch his attention.

"Are you sure she's okay to go home?" He mumbles as his eyes slowly flicker open, "I don't want that to happen to her again."

"She'll be fine, especially if you help her." Marissa answers, a light blush coloring her cheeks, "Captain, make sure you eat three generous meals, and drink at least eight glasses of water. You should feel a lot better now than when you came in, the nutrient IV seems to have done its job. Whenever he's up and ready to go, you're free to leave. Just make sure you check out with the nurses at the front desk, okay?"

"Of course." I nod, "How long until I can go back to work?" I question, knowing that Taylor would want me back as soon as possible because of both the machete killer and this mess Andy had created.

"Tomorrow, if you want to. The doctor recommends two or three days before you go back out in the field again."

"Not sure that's gonna happen." Andy replies with a chuckle as he reaches up and rubs the sleep from his eyes, "She's a stubborn one."

"Shut up." I hiss, gently elbowing him in the side, "So are you."

"Okay, well," Marissa looks back and forth between Andy and I, "I better get going, have to do my morning rounds. Best of luck to the both of you."

"Thank you Marissa." I smile as she turns and exits the room, "Andy come on, get up!" I exclaim excitedly, "Andy!"

"I'm up, I'm up!" He defends, throwing his hands up in the air in exasperation, "I can't get up until you do!" He adds with a quirked eyebrow, "I'm just your resident pillow!"

"Oh, shut up." I tease again, "You are incorrigible!" I laugh, climbing out of the small bed and picking up the bag of clothes Rusty had brought me, "I'm going to get dressed, don't do anything stupid while I'm gone!"

"I wouldn't dream of it!" He laughs as I head for the bathroom.

~oOo~

Five minutes, a pair of jeans, and a pink sweater later and we're ready to leave. Not that Andy will hear of it, but I'm ready to leave.

"Sharon, you have to promise me you'll be able to keep yourself healthy this time, okay? I can't bear finding you like that again."

"It won't ever happen again Andy, I promise. I scared myself too." I admit, wrapping my arms around his waist and cuddling into his side, the scent of his day old cologne filling my senses, "Not to mention Taylor would probably have a coronary."

"He probably would." He responds as he presses a kiss to the crown of my head, "But maybe they would take the freeze off the promotions then." He teases.

"Don't even get me started." I roll my eyes playfully and release him from the hug, "Can we go now?"

"Of course." He grins, reaching over and linking his hand with mine, "After you."

After checking out and making our way to the car, Andy opens the door for me, a playful smirk tugging at his lips.

"What?" I question, doing my best to stifle a laugh, "Andy what's so funny?"

"Not funny, just interesting." He replies, reaching in to buckle my seatbelt.

"I can do that." I argue, "I'm not a baby."

"Just let me do it." He responds, buckling the belt before I even had another chance to argue. He closes my door and walks around the front of the car before situating himself and starting the car.

"So, what's so interesting?" I ask as he pulls out onto the main highway and steps on the gas.

"Well," he shrugs, and I can tell whatever he's about to say is something he's second-guessing, "I've never seen you without makeup before, and I have to say I think you're even more beautiful without it."

"Uhm, thank you." I respond awkwardly, a deep blush burning my cheeks, "Where are we going?" I ask when he misses the turnoff to my condo, "I swear if you're taking me to some ridiculous surprise party I will… Well I can't send you to sensitivity training anymore, but I'll think of something!" I threaten and watch intently as his smile widens.

"No surprise party, unless you want one that is." He shrugs, "I want you to see the place I'm looking at for the restaurant, if you're up for it."

"I'd love to." I admit honestly. As much as I hated this idea last night, it was really starting to grow on me. He's so excited about the whole idea, and that makes me excited for him. But I have to admit I will miss seeing him in the murder room every day.

"Really?" He asks happily, glancing at me for a moment, his dark eye glimmering with excitement.

"Yes really." I laugh, "Where is it?"

"A few blocks from the PAB, down near the corner of Spring and Third."

"Could become the new happening place for the LAPD to go for lunch." I smirk as he passes the PAB, "Can we stop on the way back to my condo, just to let Taylor know I'll be back tomorrow?"

"Sure." He shrugs, "But I probably shouldn't go in there."

"You're getting hell from Provenza, aren't you?" I laugh, trying to find the positive of his current predicament, "He won't want to train a rookie, you know that right? Then he'll be my problem."

"Yeah, but," He quirks an eyebrow, "maybe without me there he'll mellow a bit."

"Doubt it." I shake my head with a smirk as he parks the car in front of the 'restaurant.'

"Welcome to Raylynn Beck Bar and Grill." He announces happily as he opens my door and extends his hand.

"Where did you even come up with that name?" I laugh, intertwining my fingers with his as we walk to the entrance of the prospective location, "Isn't it a little long?"

"You just have to ruin everything, don't you?" He shoots sarcastically as he pulls the keys from his pocket and unlocks the door, "There's a method to madness, I promise."

"Mhmm." I hum as he holds the door for me, "Like I haven't heard that one before."

"You're totally killing the mood right now." He chuckles, closing the door and coming to stand beside me, "Raylynn Beck is us Sharon, Raydor, Flynn, and Beck. If you don't like it I can come up with something else…"

"No, no." I look at him for a moment before grasping his hand and giving it a gentle squeeze, "It's great. But a bar? Are you sure that's a good idea?" I question carefully, hoping not to have offended him.

"It'll be fine Sharon, I've gone over twenty years without a drink, I think I can handle it. Not to mention all the times I've gone out for drinks with everyone after a case. How else do you think I'm going to get Provenza to come visit anyways? I'm naming the place after us for god's sake! I'll be lucky if he ever talks to me again!" He laughs sarcastically, "He really hates this whole idea of us, you know."

"Trust me," I roll my eyes, "I know. I heard him when you helped me walk into the office the other day. He's not very happy."

"You haven't even heard the half of it." He grins, guiding me over to where the bar sat, the only piece of furniture in the barren space, "I swear he's gonna have a heart attack when he hears us use first names."

"Oh, please no, then I'd have to replace my two senior Lieutenants." I sigh, wrapping an arm around his waist and nuzzling into his side again, "Does Rusty know about this place? That you're naming it after him?"

"Not yet." He replies, his hand rubbing circles on my back, "I figured I'd wait until after his next treatment, see if he has a little more energy."

"Hey," I pull out to look up at him, his chocolate eyes sparkling, "have I ever told you how glad I am to have you in my life? For me and Rusty. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"I don't know what I'd do without you either." He admits, looking down at me with eyes so full of emotion, "I know I made your life miserable when you were in FID, but you helped me to become a better man and cop. That rant you gave me about being an alcoholic after you found me at a bar one night, that's the reason I finally got sober."

"Really?" I ask surprisedly, "I didn't know that."

"Well, now you do." He grins before leaning down and pressing a chaste kiss to my lips, "So I was thinking big circular wooden tables over there," He points to the far corner of the restaurant, "and booths and rectangular tables we can push together over there." He points to the wall closest to where we are standing, "What do you think?"

"I think you don't really need me for the interior decorating." I smirk, my arms still wrapped tightly around his waist, "It seems like you've got a pretty good handle on it."

"Maybe I'd just like the extra help, especially if it's you." He grins, leaning down and gently kissing me again, "Did you ever think of that?"

"Well if you put it that way, I'd love to help you." I smile happily, "Have you put in on the location yet? I can't imagine it'll stay for sale long with the area and all."

"I wanted to see what you said first." He admits sheepishly, "You're on board, so by tomorrow morning it should be a done deal."

"Andy…" I look at him hesitantly for a moment, already knowing the answer to my question before I asked it, "If this is supposed to be our place, would you want me to help you pay for it? It's not a problem, but you're naming it after us, and if this is really going to be ours, I don't want you to pay for all of it."

"Sharon," he releases me from our embrace and rests his hands on my shoulders, giving them a gentle squeeze, "you don't have to pay me anything. In fact, I don't want you to. With all of Rusty's doctor's bills and appointments, I don't want you to have to worry about this too. The extra money we get from this place can go towards his treatments if you're okay with that?"

"I can't ask you to do that." I reply, my face falling as I thought about all of the different things he was implying, "Rusty and I are financially stable, and the insurance helps a lot. That's a very generous offer, but I can't accept it."

"I kinda knew you were going to say that." He shrugs, "Do you still want to stop at the office on the way home?"

"If it's not a problem." I reach up and squeeze his hand, "I'll just have to text Rusty and let him know we'll be a while yet. I'm sure Taylor isn't going to let me off easy, especially with the case you are all working right now. I'll be lucky if he doesn't blackmail me into resigning." I laugh cynically.

"Sharon, that's not funny." He says seriously, his features hardening, "If he says anything out of line to you, tell me okay?"

"What could you possibly do even if he did? I can take care of myself, however I do appreciate it." I smile, standing up on my tip toes to gently peck his lips.

"Could you do me a favor while you're there?" He asks hesitantly as we head towards the exit of our restaurant.

"If it involves defending you to Provenza, the answer is no." I tease, "That's something you've got to do on your own." I smirk as we get into the car.

"I was actually going to ask you if you could get the stuff from my desk if you have a chance?" There's cardboard boxes in the break room I think. I know it's stupid of me to ask but-"

"No." I cut him off, reaching over to pat his thigh as we pulled into the parking garage, "I'll do it. It's not stupid of you to ask." I assure him, "I don't know how long I'm going to be, you don't have to stay here and wait for me if you don't want to. Rusty would probably be glad to see you if you want to stop by for a little while? I can call you when I'm about finished up?"

"Sounds good to me." He smiles, "Thank you Sharon."

"It's not a problem Andy." I respond, leaning in and gently pecking his lips again, "I'll see you in a little bit."

"You better." He teases with a wink, "Goodbye Beautiful."