I knew it. Jack hung his head and circled Andy's maroon police issued crown vic, parked in Sharon's visitor space right next to their old family car that the kids still used when they came to visit. Called out to a case downtown. Ever since she moaned Andy's name underneath him, his Sharon... his wife... the mother of his children thinking of another man. It sent an enormous knot to his stomach, this right here him being here in her parking garage was positively insane. She would no doubt kick him out and refuse to ever talk to him again. Fight for her, hell I'm really going to lose her this time. His eyes never leaving his feet as they carried him into the building.

Jack paced back and forth in the lobby of Sharon's condo, hearing the elevator ding he turned towards the lift in time to see young man stepping off the elevator. He quickly stepped in, smelling Italian food that still lingered in the air. Of course, the boy just dropped off the food. He was after all wearing black slacks and white button up. Mashing the button to his wife's floor, he kept thinking what a horrible idea this was. He just wasn't thinking earlier when he had invited Andy, hell he always got into these messes when he just went on a whim. This time felt different and he could feel this might have been the worst whim he ever had. What Sharon and he had was a good thing, it wasn't perfect but yet it worked. He should have just let her have her fantasy, and left well enough alone. After all, it was just a fantasy she entertained not something she ever acted on. Andy would. With that thought in mind he decided yes he needed to do this.

...

Since he arrived waiting for her on the other side of her door, surprising her for a visit. The last phone call they had he could hear it in her voice, she was lonely and needed him. He packed up a few bags and headed right over. She had opened up to him about her work with Major Crimes, auditing Chief Johnson, locating the 'leak' in the department. Even her strong dislike of being used as a 'Hall Monitor'. He had held her that night, and listened to her while stroking her hair. She stayed curled next to him, her hand on his chest. Jack started to think of their life, maybe it was time to come back home. He just lost himself in that moment and let his imagination build the rest of their future together as she slowly drifted to sleep in his arms. Now she is with Andy right now alone in her apartment.

His heart started to race as the elevator came to a stop, the dinging going off. The doors started to open, and his heart started to race. Nervously he ran his fingers through his hair, blowing out a sigh as he stopped before her door. He had called four times on his way here, It's not too late to turn around, shes' really not going to like this. lifting his fist he knocked twice on the door.

...

Sharon carried the bag to the table, Andy quickly joined her. She broke out into small giggles, her right hand over her mouth trying to cover them. "I felt like a teenager again getting caught by my parents." Andy spun her around, taking her hand in his pulling it away from her face and to his chest. hmmm He felt light in her presence, all these weeks building up to this night. He wasn't entirely sure if his feelings would have come to light had it not been for that whole Tyrell Baylor ordeal, as awful as that mess was he wouldn't change a thing. He was certain this moment everything was about to change.

Looking into his eyes, she could sense his sincerity and for the first time in years she felt those fluttering flaps of butterfly wings going in circles in her stomach. It had been so long since she felt like this, the back and forth emotions of love and lust, giddiness and sincerity. Jack being the only other person she ever really lost herself in. "You're beautiful." Andy drew her closer to him, placing her hand on his chest and letting go to wrap his arms around her lower back, she smiled almost shyly at him. Her eyes closing as he leaned into her... TAP TAP Her eyes opened questioningly, "Expecting anyone?" he asked as they both turned to the sound.

Sharon let out a frustrated sigh, "Andy, we really need to talk." If that's Jack, so help me... missing the contact of his embrace as he let her go and stepped back. 'Yeah, alright.' He said uncertainly, "I have a feeling that's Jack at the door." Andy's face fell. "No, Andy its not like that just please take a seat and I will go deal with him." Clasping her hands together, and gesturing toward her red seat at her dining table. "Please." She said again, as his body had gone rigid but he pulled the chair out and slumped into it. "Thank you."

Andy's chest started to constrict, What an idiot! the smell of the food started to turn his stomach over. He shouldn't have rushed into this without thinking, without asking about Jack first. No part of his brain, or even his heart had tried to stop him. The moment she said 'Kiss me' was the only slight hesitation that he even gave, until she nodded her head and then his desire just took over. From where he sat he could hear the door shut, and knowing they were out in the hallway talking didn't sit well with him. Why couldn't things be easier? Did Jack have to be here yesterday? Did he even have to be here at all? Is he always going to be around? Are they working on their relationship?

He let out a groan, as realization set forth. She was just with Jack yesterday, he seen them with his own eyes. Dealing with Sharon for years, she didn't see the type of person that would play mind games with people. No she was better than that, maybe she was making her choice now that she had an option. Is she even ready for that choice?

...

"Jack what are you doing here?" Sharon asked softly, as she stepped out of the apartment gently closing the door behind her. Jack smiled hesitantly, 'Listen Sharon, I know Andy's in there.' Sharon crossed her arms and nodding her head yes. "I told you I would take care of your mess, and I am." The words came out with an icy edge to them, warning Jack to not go any further. He took in her wrinkled blouse, and his heart felt like it stopped beating 'I love you.' Jack blurted out, his eyes grew wide as he hadn't meant to just throw those words out. It came out as a desperate cry for help, instead of real meaning behind them. "Don't do this." Her mouth threatened to twitch, her eyes threatened to water, and she felt a lump building in her throat. "Please don't do this." She turned away from him and walked down the hallway.

Jack quickly followed her, "I know my timing isn't exactly right on the money here." quickly stepping in front of her to halt her. Jabbing her finger into his chest, and anger quickly building up inside of her. His heart broke a little, seeing that flash of hurt overwhelm her. He could kick himself for all that lost time, all those years of not being with her. Sharon was always the stronger of the two, and he knew that.

Sharon needed space away from him, she didn't want to even look at him. Knowing if she continued to have this conversation she would give in to him like she had so many times, over the years. There was always something about him that would tug at her heart strings, and she could feel her resolve slowly slip away. Jack please just walk away, please don't pull me back into this. "Obviously!" Walking him backwards into a wall, his back hit it with a small thud drawing on her inner strength she had to show him she could not be budged. "I am not doing this with you right now Jack." He tried to open his mouth, and she shook her head furiously. "No do not speak."

"Listen Sharon, I know you don't want to hear this now." Jack began and taking a chance he grabbed her in a tight embrace. "I'm going to leave, it's not fair to you. I've never been fair to you, I'm acting out of selfishness here." He could hear her choking back a sob, and her body trembling in his embrace her hands pinned against his chest. "I love you." He whispered, and this time it did come out with more meaning. Kissing the top of her head, he let her go and walked away from her towards the elevator. She crossed her arms again, and watched as he waited for the lift. Sensing her staring at him he turned and saluted her and waved her off before he stepped on and out of her life again. Rubbing her temple and leaning against the wall fighting with her emotions she didn't know would surface when she left the safety of her apartment. Andy!

She quickly made her way back to her door stopping as it opened and met Andy as was walking out. Their eyes locking onto one another, his brown eyes saw the hurt in her green ones. She could see the worry in his brown, and it made her feel horrible. "Are you alright? I thought I would come check on you." She attempted a genuine smile, 'I'm fine I was just coming in, the food's getting cold...' he nodded but they continued to stand not daring to move just yet. Interrupting her, "I've lost my appetite." the placing his hands in his jean pockets, she nodded in agreement.

"I'm sorry this evening is going down the drain. um could we possibly go inside?" She asked, he stepped back to let her pass. 'It's your home.' He followed her towards the living room this time she sat on the chair and waved him over to the couch. 'Are you and Jack...' he started but she quickly interrupted him, "We are legally separated." Andy sat down. 'I saw you two together yesterday.' Andy could feel his ears start to heat, this was uncomfortable and now it was out there. Sharon hummed and clasped her hands together, and nodded. "Jack and I have our..." she stopped and looked away from Andy and towards her balcony trying to welcome any distraction from this conversation. It was hard for her to open up to people, and really hard for her to tell Andy the nature of her relationship with Jack. "well we had an understanding." She finished, and darted her eyes back at Andy he was looking at his box of toothpicks on the coffee table, she could tell he was fighting his inner demons. "I want to be honest with you."

Andy was staring a hole into those toothpicks, reaching for the box and quickly pulling one out and finding a small bit of comfort once it was in his mouth. "Andy?" He turned to look at her, "Did you come by yesterday?" yes of course she would ask him that. 'Sharon I think this would be easier if we went back to Captain and Lieutenant.' Getting to his feet and collecting his jacket from the floor, she sat stunned. Don't leave. Her inside voice cried, and she stood up and walked with him to the door. He reached the door, and turned to face her. He could see the pain in her face, and knew his mimicked hers. "Andy." Her voice sounded small, Andy stepped forward and with his right hand he gently cupped the side of her face. His thumb trailing the side of her bottom lip, she smiled as he leaned down and placed a gentle kiss to her lips then placing a kiss to her forehead. 'You need time Sharon, and I want to give you that much. When you are ready I will still be here.' She moved forward and opened the door for him. 'Goodnight Captain.' He looked at her once more and gave her his trademark wink.

"Goodbye Lieutenant." Relief washed over her, as she watched him leave. He's the one. Knowing he was right didn't dimenish any of the pain she felt right now. She wasn't torn, but she knew what he wanted. He needed just her, not the baggage of Jackson William Raydor. Shutting the door, and walking back to her livingroom she fell back onto the couch grabbing a pillow and hugging it to her chest. He left his toothpicks.

I know I know! I'm sure fangirls are screaming, upset saying they are done with this! but hey I hope those of you caught that little clue at the end... That's right let's dive a little into some of the episodes and see if our favorites ever end up together! Let me say this was a hard chapter to put together... I sincerely hope its still worth following