Thank you so much again for all of your reviews and support. Here is the third and final chapter. I have enjoyed going along on this journey with these awesome characters. As usual, I welcome any and all feedback.

Of course, I do not own Major Crimes or any of the fabulous characters. That honor belongs to James Duff and co. I just enjoy writing about them.

Chapter Three

Andy knocked lightly on Sharon's open office door. She told him to come in without looking up, so he still wasn't able to ascertain her mood. He knew that she was aware of who was entering her office since everyone else had already left for the night. Andy's stomach was in knots and his nerves on fire, but he somehow managed to will his feet to move forward one step at a time.

Sharon knew exactly who had come into her office. She had been anticipating this all evening, and she had a feeling Andy was going to wait until everyone else had gone home. To be honest, she didn't really like having these sorts of discussions at work, but it was neutral ground and what happened between them had, unfortunately, blurred the lines between personal and professional. This was exactly what she had feared when she entered into this relationship with her lieutenant.

"I... Uh... Finished my report. I think you'll find everything in there," Andy started as a way of cutting through the very thick tension occupying her office. When she didn't respond or look-up, he decided to fill the silence once again. "I'm pretty sure I dotted all my I's and crossed all my T's," he added as a way of injecting some humor into the situation. Sharon didn't seem too amused.

"You're always very thorough, Andy," she said flatly. "I wouldn't expect this time to be any different," she added finally looking up at him. Ok, so maybe the humor was a bad idea, Andy thought. Her face was neutral and gave absolutely nothing away. Andy wasn't sure what to say or whether his mouth would even be able to form the words if he did, so he looked down and allowed the silence to surround him. When Sharon still didn't say anything, he decided this was not the right time and turned to leave.

"Ok, well, have a good night," he said defeated. He started walking towards her door. He almost made it out of her office when he heard her voice cut through the deafening silence.

"Andy, we should talk," she said. Andy turned back around and began walking towards her desk once again. She indicated that he should sit, so he took a seat in one of the chairs in front of her desk. Sharon took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Andy couldn't handle the tension any longer and decided to go with his gut and say what he had wanted to say since this whole thing blew up in his face.

"I am so sorry, Sharon. I'm an idiot and I shouldn't have gone and looked at a house without even talking to you about moving in together first...", he began before Sharon held up her hand and cut him off. He watched as she silently got up from her desk and walked around it. She sat down in the chair next to his and looked him in the eye.

"Then why did you, Andy?" She asked, and it sounded like a genuine attempt at understanding and not an accusation. Andy decided to go with the truth.

"Because... I'm so afraid of messing this up," he conceded quietly. Sharon tilted her head and softened her expression. Andy felt encouraged and decided to continue. "I was afraid that asking you to move in together could ruin what we have, so I thought if I found a great place, you might be more interested in the idea. It was stupid." Sharon contemplated his words for a moment.

"Andy, there are going to be times when we are not on the same page. As long as we are willing to wait for each other to catch up, then we can navigate those times together. You're not going to scare me off that easily," she said and offered a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Furthermore, if I decide to live with you, I don't need 'a great place' to sweeten the deal. The only reason I need to take that step with you is, well, you," she explained. Andy couldn't help but smile at that, and he found himself meeting her gaze for the first time in a while. Her eyes were warm and inviting.

"I'm just trying so hard not to mess this thing up with you, Sharon," he explained.

"Well... Stop," She said with a serious tone. Andy gave her a worried look. "It seems to me that every time you try not to mess things up, you end up doing exactly that, so how about you stop worrying about messing up and just talk to me instead?" Andy let out a sigh and allowed a small smile cross his lips.

"I can do that," he agreed.

"Good," Sharon said and nodded. "And next time you want to make a huge decision about us, can we discuss it without involving Provenza, Buzz, a realtor, a dead body, and the entire LAPD?"

"Sounds good to me," he said with a smile. He paused for a moment and then took both of her hands in his. "I really am sorry, Sharon. I know having to watch that video in front of the squad was embarrassing, and I know how you feel about our personal relationship mixing with our professional one and I completely stomped all over it. So, yeah, I'm an idiot. But I promise to talk to you first going forward," he rambled.

Sharon smiled at his jumbled apology and nodded her head. "Ok, then let's get out of here and grab some dinner. I'm starving. That is, if you're up for it".

"Are you kidding? Dinner with you sounds perfect," he beamed. With that they both stood up, and Sharon gathered her things. After Andy had done the same, they walked towards the elevators.

Once inside the elevator car, Sharon reached over and took Andy's hand in her own. He smiled and squeezed her hand. She returned the gesture. Once they were out of the elevator, he walked her to her car. As they approached the driver's side door, Sharon let go of his hand. Andy gently grabbed her arm and pulled her to him. He looked her in her eyes and watched as she slowly closed them. He closed the gap between them and his lips met hers. He kissed her sweetly, but passionately and she eagerly returned it. When they reluctantly pulled apart, he kept his lips close to hers and whispered against them. "I really missed kissing you," he confessed.

Sharon smiled and nodded her head. "And here I was thinking that you missed me," she teased.

"Of course I missed you! Are you kidding? Last night was miserable! I just happen to have missed kissing you as well," he clarified. She just laughed and nodded her head.

He pulled away and started to move towards his car parked nearby. "Meet you at Gio's?" He inquired. She nodded again, and he turned back to his car. She opened her door and then turned back in his direction.

"We should talk about it," she called out to him. He turned in her direction with a confused look on his face. "Living together," she clarified. "It's definitely something we should talk about".

"Have you made a decision?" He asked cautiously.

"No, but I'd like to discuss it properly if you're truly serious about it," she said contemplatively.

"I'm serious, Sharon," he said taking a few steps back in her direction. "I really was going to talk to you about it before I went and blew everything up," he said seriously, and Sharon detected the regret in his voice.

"We should get to Gio's before it gets too crowded," Sharon concluded and she noticed the tinge of disappointment on Andy's face. "I'd like to have plenty of time to talk".

And with that she was in her car with her door closed. Andy stood there for a moment and allowed a small bit of hope to wash over him.

They managed to make it to the restaurant before the crowd. After they ordered, they sat in companionable silence. Or at least Sharon seemed to be. Andy, on the other hand, was wondering if he should bring up the whole living together thing or wait for her to do it. As it was, he was treading on thin ice and didn't want to push his luck.

Sharon couldn't help but think about the rather large question that was hanging over her head. The truth was, she had thought about it. Not a lot, but she had entertained the idea a couple of times. She just had never come to a conclusion either way. The thought of sharing her life and living space with someone else after being on her own for more than two decades scared her. And then she worried that it might sink their relationship, but if that were the case, then maybe their relationship wasn't what she thought it was. There was also Rusty to consider, but he wouldn't be under her roof forever. Eventually, and Sharon hoped it was a far away eventually, he would crave his independence and want to live on his own. Suddenly, she heard Andy's voice and she was pulled from her thoughts.

"Did I lose you?" He asked gently. Her eyes met his and she smiled.

"No, I'm sorry. I was just thinking," she replied.

"That this conversation would be a lot easier if I hadn't screwed it up?" He said looking down at his empty bread plate.

"Not at all. This is a huge decision and any discussion about it was bound to be complicated," she assured him. "I've been on my own for a very long time, Andy. And even before that, I was alone for years. Other than my children, I haven't had to take another person's needs and wants and domesticity into consideration for a good portion of my adult life. I don't even know if I'm capable of it anymore, to be honest," she confessed looking down at and fiddling with her silverware. There was silence, and Sharon began to worry that she said something that upset Andy. She looked up at him to see if she could read his face.

"Hell, Sharon. I have no idea what I'm doing either. I've been alone for just as long, and I was shit at sharing my life with someone which is why I never imagined I'd be here again. But there is something about you and us that makes me want to try again. And this time, I want to try harder because I want it to work. God, I want it to work," he explained gently before continuing.

"The thing is, I really like spending time with you outside of work. I love falling asleep wrapped up together and waking up with you in the morning. The problem is, we don't get enough of it now. If we decide to live together, that would change. Now, does that mean it's going to be hunky dory all the time? Of course not, but at least we would spend our time together," he concluded.

Sharon was silent. This was a big decision and she didn't make big decisions without thoroughly thinking them through. But wasn't that what she had been doing when she contemplated this move before? Hadn't she thought about all of the pros and cons?

Andy interpreted her silence as a sign that she did not agree. "Of course, we don't have to take this step, Sharon. I like where things are between us, and that's not going to change just because you aren't ready to move in together. I'll wait. I don't mind," he said with a reassuring smile.

Sharon let his words fill her mind and her heart. I'll wait. Wasn't Andy always waiting for her?

"No. I'm done stalling our relationship. I'm done letting my fear get in the way of my happiness. But most of all, I'm done making you wait," she said as tears started to form in her eyes.

"I don't mind, Sharon. I'd wait forever for you and you'd never hear me complain," he replied. Sharon reached across the table and took his hand in hers. She squeezed it and looked him in the eye.

"I know you would, but it's not right. The only thing holding me back is fear. At some point, I have to push past it and live my life. And I'm choosing now... With you," she said confidently. Andy couldn't help the smile that spread across his face. As happy as he was, though, he needed to be sure that this was what she wanted.

"Are you sure, Sharon? I don't want you to do this for me..." He began before she interrupted him.

"I'm doing this for me and for us, Andy. And I am sure. As long as you're OK with living with a college kid, that is. We're kind of a package deal," she said with a smile. It was Andy's turn to squeeze her hand.

"Wouldn't want it any other way," he said with genuine affection in his voice. Just then, the server returned with their meals. They politely thanked him without ever taking their eyes off of one another. Their faces both held the same content grin.

Once they turned their attention to their respective meals, Sharon savored her food before pausing between bites.

"So... I guess we have some house hunting to do hmm?" She asked with a smile.

"I guess we do. You know, there's this great 3-bedroom, 2-bath ranch right near work. Rumor has it we can get it for a steal," he said cheekily.

"You're not serious?" She asked incredulously.

"Something about a body being discovered there. Bet the seller would be willing to deal," he added just to see her reaction. She took another bite of her food before pausing.

"How about I spearhead the whole house search this time?" She asked, but it was more of a statement.

"Doesn't matter to me. As long as the result is you, me, the kid, and one roof, I'm in," he agreed. She just smiled at him and continued to eat her dinner.

Later after their stomachs were full and their hearts even fuller, they walked hand and hand out to their cars. They paused when they reached their separate rides home.

"Hopefully, we won't have to do this much longer," Andy mused. Sharon stepped closer to him and ran her hands up his chest before threading them behind his neck. She pulled him closer to her and whispered against his lips.

"I can't wait".

And with that she closed the small gap between them and lost herself in the sensation of his mouth on hers and the knowledge that these parking lot goodbyes would soon be a thing of the past. That brought her a certain peace, and she couldn't help but feel giddy about the next step in their formerly old fashioned relationship. Suddenly, moving forward didn't feel like such a big step anymore, it felt just right.

THE END