AN: I'm seriously overwhelmed by all of you who have added this story to your alert list already, thank you so much! I'm very happy that there are readers out there who like to follow this story or even me as a writer.

Also a thank you to the guests who have left a review and who I wasn't able to thank yet, I really appreciate it.

Again a big thank you to glisteningsun who has done the beta work on these chapters. All mistakes left are mine. And also to xx-nieno who I often forget. She is my guinnea pig, the one who has to read it first before I even begin to think about posting ;)

Rated M to be on the safe side whenever I describe crime scenes.

Chapter two

Sandra got her way, the house was sold. He didn't care. The house was too big for him anyway. At night, when he was home alone sitting on the couch memories were haunting him. Brian running through the house with his police cars and fire engines, Nicole sitting on the ground after one of her attempts to walk, smiling up at him with that wide toothless grin of hers.

The house sounded hollow, his voice the only echo in the rooms. Two rooms had been empty for months already, the children's belongings shipped over to New York what seemed like ages ago.

Sandra fought for just about anything. Even that horrible looking vase they got as a wedding present from Sandra's Godmother. She could have it, she could have it all, he didn't care. Her response had been that he could keep the bed. She didn't want to sleep in the same bed he'd shared with his mistress. No matter how many times he told her there was nothing going on between Sharon and him, she would not believe him. In the end it didn't matter anyway. He was about to close the chapter of his life called 'Sandra' forever. She would never believe him and he was done putting energy in that bottomless pit.

He found a small two bedroom apartment near the station. The rent was affordable. The residual debt on their house had to be paid by him, he was the one with a job. Sandra claimed she was unable to work, their children too little. Fact was though, Sandra had never worked a day in her life. He didn't care in the end. He wanted her to be at home with the children. Being a mother was a job. It wasn't worth arguing over anyway. Same for the alimony. She demanded the maximum and he gave her the amount without complaining. Brian and Nicole were his children. It was his duty as a father to take care of them. They shouldn't suffer even more.

With the house sold he brought boxes from the storage locker to the new apartment, but only a few at a time, as he wasn't quite finished cleaning it yet.

Sharon looked at the backseat.

"What's in the boxes?"

"I'm moving."

"Moving? Why?"

"Sandra wanted me to sell the house, probably believed to earn some money out of it, but we still had a substantial mortgage. So the only thing we've got left is a residual debt. She can't pay that off, so it's up to me. I rented a small apartment just a few blocks away from here. It's right in my price range."

"I can lend you the money, you know."

He knew she wouldn't think twice about helping him out. There was no way he would hold out his hand for her money though. He'd rather eat instant noodles for weeks.

"I'm fine."

"Then at least let me help to move you."

Andy smiled. "What? Like cleaning, unpacking boxes…"

Cleaning wasn't her favorite job. He knew she had eventually hired a cleaning lady for her own apartment.

"You'll lend me your cleaning lady then?"

"I can clean, Andy."

"Sure, hon."

"I can. I'll show you. We've got the day off tomorrow, right? I'll come over to your new apartment and help you out. "

He wondered whether that was a good idea, being so close to her without work distracting him. He could hardly deny her though. It had been very nice of her to offer.

"Okay, thank you Sharon."

For a moment he already regretted accepting her help, but it had been done. There was no way back now.

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When the doorbell rang, Andy quickly pulled a shirt over his head hurrying to the door. Sharon smiled at him. Her eyes sparkling with amusement.

"Officer Elliot reporting for duty, Sir."

Andy laughed stepping aside so she could walk in. He stared at her tight buttocks hugged by the jeans she wore. The most perfect body he'd ever seen. Resisting the urge to tell her how gorgeous she looked, he asked her whether she would like something to drink while trying to ignore her being so close to him, when she followed him to the kitchen.

"Here you go."

"Thanks…"

She wrapped her hands around the coffee mug bringing it to her lips to take a small sip. Her eyes wandered around the room.

"What do you think? Could I make a man cave out of this?"

She choked on her coffee. "You're not serious are you? A what?"

"Just joking to pull you from wherever it was. I know it's not great but I've got a roof over my head and it's something I can afford."

She didn't want to make him feel uncomfortable, so she forced a smile telling him she was sure that he'd be able to make something nice out of it.

"Two bedrooms?"

"In case the kids would be coming over. Maybe in a few years when they are older."

Sharon nodded, she wondered though whether Sandra would ever allow them to go. She did everything in her power to keep the children away from him. That's why she had asked Gavin to help him out. She didn't believe it was right to keep them away from their father.

She never got why Andy didn't move to New York. There was something about him being unable to work there. He'd been vague and she got the idea not to pressure him on the subject.

"Were you painting?"

"Yeah, I need to finish that wall before I can start the clean up."

"Okay, just hand me a paintbrush then."

How could he not smile when he looked at her? She looked so eager to start. Although he doubted she knew what she had gotten herself into.

"You ever painted?"

"No, not really, but how hard can it be?"

She shrugged, walked over to the bucket with paint and got into action. His eyebrows wrinkled. He could tell she had never painted a wall before and like this she was messing it up. Andy walked over to stand right behind her covering her hand with his stroke after stroke to show her the rhythm.

She smelled so good, the blossomy scent of her perfume and her shampoo invading his nostrils. In a matter of seconds he was no longer focused on the wall, nor the strokes she was making, but on her neck and the part where it connected with her shoulders.

The most perfect curve he'd ever seen, her skin so smooth. He imagined his lips brushing that part of her body, slowly trailing over it, placing feather-like kisses. Just the thought of it send his blood to parts of his body that could make this very embarrassing. He released her hand as if he had been burned and stepped away from her. The last thing he wanted was for her to feel the bulge in his pants.

"You're a natural."

He rather had her messing up his wall, than for her to be horrified about his reaction to her.

A pinch in his heart as she looked back at him over her shoulder. Sparkles in her eyes. She looked so proud of herself.

"It's nice to try out."

Her parents had made her life easy. Before she moved out there hadn't been a day she'd ever had to clean the dishes or iron her own laundry. When she had moved into her apartment, it had been fully decorated. Her mother and she had picked out the furniture, wallpaper, paint and then hired a few men to do the dirty work and decorate it. Her task had been to oversee the proceedings. It was good to know she was able to do it, when she might have to one day.

"I really appreciate you helping me out. You know not just today, but everything you've done for me."

"That's what friends are for."

"I was a real mess. Nearly cost you your life."

"Are you still attending your AA meetings?"

They hardly ever talked about his drinking problem. There was the shame and the extreme guilt that made it hard for Andy to talk about.

"Yes, it helps to talk, to stay strong. The temptation is very big sometimes." Andy looked down, she could tell he was ashamed to admit that to her. "I can't believe I sometimes have the urge to put the bottle to my lips, especially since I know what it did to you. Just the thought of that should be enough to never have that urge again."

Sharon put down her paintbrush and walked towards him. She touched his elbow to get him to look at her. "It's not healthy for you to continue feeling this guilty."

"How could I not feel guilty?"

"I want you to stop that. It was my decision, Andy."

"If I hadn't been drinking so much, you wouldn't have had to make that decision."

"I acted on instinct. Honestly, I can't tell whether I wouldn't have done the exact same thing if I'd known you were completely sober. I just moved myself forward without thinking about any of the consequences my actions might have."

"If I had been sober I would have seen it coming."

"You don't know that."

"I shouldn't have been drinking."

"No, you shouldn't have. You should have talked to me." Her gaze held his, looking very serious, pained that he hadn't talked to her in the past. "Promise me you'll talk to me whenever something is bothering you?"

She held him captive, her eyes trying to pry into his soul. There were things he'd never be able to talk to her about though. He could not tell her how his feelings for her messed him up. How could he tell her he was in love with her?

"Andy?"

"I will…"

His words were so quick. It was an answer to be able to break her gaze. She knew him too well already. Something was bothering him right now. Andy wouldn't talk to her though. And that stung. She had no idea how to get through to him. Pressuring him would only accomplish the opposite effect. Andy would close up even more. The only option was for her to be patient and let him come to her when he was ready. So Sharon forced a smile feigning that she believed him.

Suddenly there was tension. Andy wasn't able to tell whether she believed him or not. Anyway, this had become an awkward situation. He needed something to break it, to steer them away from the topic of trust. Staring at Sharon he noticed a blob of white paint on her cheek. "You've got some paint there." Without thinking too much about it, he took a cloth, gently wiping her face. The touch made the blood rush through his body again, his heart beating frantically.

"You haven't smeared it all over, have you? Does your shower work already?"

"My shower?" His eyes widened a bit. The words choked out.

"Yeah, you know that small room where you wash yourself."

He was acting like an idiot, just because the word 'shower' send images of her probably perfect naked body to his brain. Those were thoughts he wasn't suppose to have.

"Why?"

His voice more high pitched than usually. A frown appeared between her eyes.

"So I can wash my face, of course. Is there something in there you don't want me to see?" Her eyes lit up with a cheeky smile.

"No, of course not."

He took the bait, although she had just been joking around.

"Uhm, clean towels are already in the cabinet I guess. "

"That way?" She pointed into the direction of the small corridor.

"Yeah first on the left."

He closed his eyes when she walked away. Stupid, so damn stupid. 'What's wrong with you man? Stop reacting like a complete idiot.' Andy looked down; his body had once again reacted in a completely inappropriate manner. What if she would walk out and see him like this? What would she think of him? The thought of her naked in his shower was too strong though. Overbearing. He couldn't help it. Andy could use a real cold shower right now, because he desperately needed to cool off. 'Think about something other than Sharon.'

"There, I believe I managed to get it all off. What's next?"

"Lunch, I don't want to wear you out."

Sharon cocked her eyebrow.

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After painting, cleaning, and emptying out of the boxes they slumped into the couch, both exhausted.

"Are you hungry?"

"I've worked so hard I kind of ignored the rumble in my stomach, I guess."

"So let me cook dinner for you, that's the least I could do for all your help. No protesting."

She giggled. "I wasn't about to. I love your cooking skills."

He loved to see her this carefree. The giggle, all bubbly, the sparkle in her eyes. He blessed his mom for having taught him how to cook.

"Any preferences?"

"No, just cook whatever you like. Would you need my help?"

"You just put your feet up and relax."

Sharon didn't need a lot of convincing to do just that. Using her feet she pushed her shoes off, her hand simultaneously reaching for the elastic keeping her hair in a ponytail.

Andy couldn't help looking over his shoulder. From the open kitchen he had a perfect view of the couch. He saw how her thick auburn hair cascaded down to her shoulders. It was time to focus back on the food if he wanted to get something edible into her.

Sharon laid her head on the pillow slowly closing her eyes. She was beat. How could something like this be so exhausting? Andy's voice was in the distance. Exhaustion took over, her eyelids too heavy to open again, she slowly drifted off to sleep.

Deciding to make one of Sharon's favorites, Andy set aside his own dislike for cooking this particular dish. He liked pleasing her. She'd been such a great help today, even though she wasn't as skilled, she had made a real effort. That probably meant even more.

"Sharon, would you like some extra spice?"

When there was no answer he looked over his shoulder. She was lying on the couch. Curious, he walked towards her.

"Sharon?"

His voice was soft. The corners of his mouth curled upwards when he saw that she had fallen asleep on the couch. She looked so serene. He couldn't help stare at her. While she was asleep he was for once able to truly stare at her. She looked so incredibly gorgeous. A certain kind of peace washed over him just by looking at her chest moving up and down. The slow rhythm seemed to almost hypnotize him. Slowly he walked further towards her, bending his knees, sitting down on the edge of the couch. She looked like an angel. At times like this he envied Raydor. How many times had that pompous ass woken up next to her seeing her like this? How many times had Raydor simply watched her sleep? Would he have realized what a lucky bastard he was? Probably not. Raydor wouldn't have worked so much, if he had. He would not have slept with another woman while Sharon had been in that coma. He would have moved heaven and earth to fix their relationship. Andy knew Sharon well enough to know she would have forgiven him for his little fling with that secretary. The break up had been about something else.

Fact was Raydor could not give her what she wanted or needed. Why would he believe he could? Who was he kidding? He would only end up hurting Sharon if she opened up her heart even more to him. She did not deserve that. She didn't deserve being hurt.

Seeing her this peaceful he could hardly imagine it, but she had been hurt. She had been hurt more than once. Not only by Raydor either. There was always some form of vulnerability in her eyes. Her tough act a way to protect herself.

His hand reached out to her. Brushing a strand of hair from her face. Hair like silk, thick, shiny, that rich auburn color he loved so much. Only now did he realize how long her eyelashes were. His fingers gently trailed over her porcelain skin so soft underneath his fingertips.

If she would wake up now he would scare the hell out of her. Still, he couldn't manage to pull himself away from her. It felt too good to touch her. This should not happen. He should not be this close to her. He should probably take as much emotional distance from her as he could. This friendship between them wasn't a good idea. He wouldn't know how to fix this without hurting her. Their friendship was too close already.

Andy smiled as a lazy hum escaped her lips. Sharon equaled a certain perfection. He wondered what was on her mind. Maybe he should carry her over to his bed, so she would be more comfortable.

Her waking up solved that dilemma. The look that met his was confused. Andy tried to look as natural as possible, so he wouldn't creep her out, his mind working overtime to come up with a plausible excuse.

"I asked you something and you didn't answer. You fell asleep."

Sharon blushed, quite embarrassed.

"I'm making us cannelloni, hope you like it."

Her eyes twinkled, a huge smile erupting on her lips.

"I love your cannelloni."

"Good."

Andy supported her arm to help her sit up, resisting a chuckle when he saw her yawn.

"Mmmmm, that smells amazing."

She followed him to the kitchen running a hand through her messy hair curiously looking into his oven.

"I can't believe Sandra gave up all of this."

"I wasn't a dream husband, Sharon."

"But you are an amazing cook."

"I hardly ever cooked."

Surprised she looked at him. Andy cooked for her so often, he used every opportunity he got to pamper her.

"Why not?"

"I didn't like being at home."

"I don't understand."

"Sandra and I grew apart. She didn't understand my job, I didn't understand her frustrations. At some point we simply stopped talking."

"But there must have been a time when you loved each other?"

"We rushed into it all. We were in love and we believed that was all we'd need. We didn't have a solid base."

That had been her luck. Jack and her had grown apart before they had gotten married. That had kept them from ending up in a loveless marriage. They would have only made one another very unhappy. She could tell what an unhappy marriage was doing to Andy. Jack and her had both been spared a lot of heartache.