hey all! Quick chapter update! The early days of Shandy are speaking to me again!

Season 7 Episode 18 - Drug Fiend.

Her feet felt heavy as she crossed the compound towards her car. Every inch of her was screaming out for a rest, the only thought that kept her moving was the dream of a nice hot bath the very second she got home.

The past few weeks had been rough on Sharon, it was true of most associated with the Turrell Baylor lawsuit and the subsequent search for a leak that some still refused to believe existed. The outcome of the lawsuit was still bugging her but it was out of her hands, the Johnson Rule had merit to be sure but it was flawed, her lack of power to challenge it was something that Sharon had trouble making her peace with. She stood by it though, at least in appearence, after word had gotten around it had become a source of contention between her and Andy.

They tried to keep their work away from their private life but in many respects they were on different sides, sometimes they both brought their work home and it frustrated the other. Right now Sharon was in a difficult position and try as he might, Andy struggled to respect that.

They argued. A lot. Andy disagreed with the outcome of the Turrell Baylor Suit, he thought it should have been dismissed immediately he didn't want to believe that it had any merit to it at all. Hell he was still pissed that he got served himself! If it wasn't about Goldman it was about the supposed leak in the division.

One way or another there was a huge dark cloud hanging over their relationship, and it was getting thicker by the day. Their latest barn burner had been only a few days ago, usually they would simply avoid each other but Pope had pulled Raydor into the latest case overseen by Major Crimes. Thankfully her input had been minimal, mainly to assist Chief Johnson in the administration and political strings that came with dealing with a doctor's office, and the sensitive patient information it held. But the fight still rang in her ears.

"This whole thing is bullshit Sharon and you know it!" It didn't matter how much evidence she reeled off at him, Andy still refused to believe there was a leak at all. Sharon knew him well enough to know that he was in denial, deep down he knew it, believed it, and probably had his own suspicions.

What irked him more was the fact that she was obligated to investigate him.

"Look me in the eye Sharon, you look me in the eye and tell me that it's me! If you think for one second that I could rat on my own team then you don't know me at all!"

She didn't, Andy was actually one of the first people she could actually definitively rule out. Along with Provenza and Lieutenant Tao. It pissed him off further when she hesitated in her reply. Oh she did it on purpose though wasn't exactly sure why, maybe just to anger him, like he angered her every damn day when he belittled the importance of her investigation.

Andy hated that she was literally going through the everyday lives of his colleagues. Poking into every aspect of their lives not just professionally but personally too. There was still a huge part of him that felt, perhaps irrationally, that he should protect the squad, defend them when they were questioned. It tore him up, divided him. He was loyal to his friends but he was loyal to Sharon too.

That shift had come as a surprise to both of them. Once upon a time they could barely look at each other, without a potent air of contempt at least. Now it was a very different story. Though she tried to stay detached she couldn't deny that she enjoyed his company, craved his companionship. She wouldn't go as far as to say there were feelings involved, but there was...something. Sharon thought or at least hoped that Andy felt the same. He was always a little more outgoing with his feelings and though he respected her space he was still very attentive when they were together. He didn't just take what she could give, he gave everything he could to her.

As she turned the corner through the parking structure that would guide her to her car she smiled softly. The closure of the case today had thrown them together in a round about way. As they'd gathered in electronics with the rest of the team Sharon had felt the tension begin to dissipate. Maybe only because she could sense him checking out her ass from where he leant against the cabinet at the back of the room. Her attention had been focused on the monitors and the exchange between the chief and the murderer but it was a victorious moment in a way, to know that she still had an effect on a man. On this man.

Her smile like her movements stopped when she saw him. He was leant against her car, head bowed, hands shoved in his pockets. He didn't look mad, or as if he was spoiling for a fight. Sharon took a deep breath and continued towards him.

The familiar sound of heels on the concrete drew his attention and he looked up in time to see her draw closer, one eyebrow raised in question. Immediately he straightened up, taking his hands from his pockets he raised them in front of him.

"I come in peace Captain."

"Oh?" Sharon paused beside him, placing the files in her hand on the hood of the car.

Andy sighed when he watched her fold her arms across her chest, he knew from countless years experience that when she did that it could be dangerous. Sometimes it was playful but it was all in the eyes. Right now they said 'watch it'.

"I think it's about time that I apologised."

"Ready to admit that you're an idiot?"

"You already knew that about me."

When he smiled that adorable smile it made her soften slightly, her eyes became just a touch lighter and as a result he felt confident enough to reach out. Mindful of their location and the fact that she was armed Andy kept the contact brief, his fingertips grazed her hip and she took a step closer, though there still remained a distance between them.

"I am an idiot. It's not new information. I'm sorry I yelled at you, you didn't deserve that."

Sharon nodded slowly, her arms still folded in front of her. "Undeserving as it was, I understand, Andy. It's not easy to believe you have a leak in your own division. It's damn hard. Believe it or not I hate this as much as you do."

"I know you do. Doesn't help when I'm being an asshole about it."

"No it doesn't."

"Any closer to figuring that shit out so we can get back to normal?"

Sharon laughed quietly, a small sigh escaped her lips. "You know I can't talk about it, especially with you."

"I know, I know. Conflict of interest. Just tell me...do you know yet?"

Andy watched her closely, the battle waged within her and he could see the struggle. She wanted desperately to tell him everything she knew, to reassure him that it was under control but she couldn't, she wouldn't. It would protect him in the long run, the less he knew the better.

"It's, becoming clearer. I have a new lead to look into, something that came to light only yesterday but I'm not saying anymore than that."

Andy sighed, his hands moved over his face as his head tipped back and he blew out the air he was inexplicably holding in. "I hate this."

"Andy..."

"Every damn day I walk into that squad room and I know, I know theres somebody in there thats selling us all out."

"Andy I know it's hard..."

"Hard? I have to trust those guys to have my back in the field and this...this shit...it's just hanging there."

Sharon heard the anguish in his voice, though he kept the volume down and this wasn't an argument but a discussion, it was still hard for her to see him like this.

"Andy this person may not even know that they're doing this. I mean think about it, you talk to me about stuff that goes on in Major Crimes, you do it because you trust me not to let it go any further. Mike Tao may go home at the end of the day and he'll talk to his wife, for example. I know without a doubt that Cathy Tao has no involvement here but you see my point. Does any of us really know who is in the lives of others? Do you know who Sanchez goes home and vents to? What about Buzz or Gabriel or even Provenza, who does Taylor drink with these days? We just don't know everything about people, as much as we like to think we do."

"I know plenty about you Captain."

When he winked she rolled her eyes, unfolding her arms she nudged his shoulder. "Always with the flirting Lieutenant."

"You could always send me to sensitivity training...again?"

"Apparently it would be a waste of time."

Andy chuckled quietly at her smile, the flash of mischief alight in her eyes. "So, apology accepted?"

"Apology accepted, Andy."

"Good. Now I'll let you get home, it's been a rough couple of days."

"It has. I'll admit I was looking forward to a long hot bath and an early night." Sharon glanced at him as he helped her with the stack of files, the desire burned behind his eyes when the implications of her words registered.

"Oh?"

"Mmhmm. What with the case and Chief Johnson and juggling my own divisions obligations I'm rather in need of release."

His low groan in response to her teasing had her fighting her own smile as she moved to the driver's side door. He followed close behind ready to open the door for her.

"Now who's flirting Captain?"

"Oh I'm not flirting. I'm outright asking, wanna join me?"

"Hell yeah." Andy grinned as she stood between him and the car, throwing caution to the wind she pulled him forward by the tie and kissed him firmly. "If only this happened yesterday." He said, his eyes fixed on hers. Her brow furrowed in question. "Yesterday you damn near killed me, you should wear your gun and badge on your belt more often Captain."

Sharon laughed and kissed him again before pushing him back so that she could get in her car. "Thirty minutes, if you're a good boy, I might put the belt back on."

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