AN: I'm still amazed each time I see all those reviews. Also a thank you to the guest reviewers, because I can't send you a PM to show my appreciation. After not writing on my Shattered images series for maybe over a month, you all have me drawn back into this universe I have created. For the first time in months I've made time today to work on the last edit of chapters that have already had their beta work done on it, all because of your enthusiasm. I promised an update to some of you today. So I will deliver for once on time. Next update probably next week, I'm painting the house :S

A huge thank you to glisteningsun for all the beta work. It's a lot of work and I really appreciate the time and effort you've put into it. All mistakes left are mine.

Rated M

Chapter ten

A terrified scream snapped his eyes wide open. The sound startled him, abruptly pulling him away from his sleep, leaving him disorientated for a couple seconds. Almost rolling from the couch, before he remembered he wasn't sleeping in his comfortable bed.

Darkness met him. It was still the middle of the night. Another scream cut through his bones. He shook his head trying to clear it from the cloud that sleep formed over his brain. Sharon.

Sharon was the one screaming. He got up and hastened himself towards his bed room. Turning on the lights, he was fast reassured. No intruder, just Sharon, tossing and turning in her sleep. He looked at her in his bed, an intimate thought chased away by another one of her screams.

Andy walked over to the bed. He had to wake her up, calm her down.

"Sharon?.. Sharon?"

Her chest heaved up and down, short panicked movements, almost gasping for air. Her hair plastered to the sides of her face, his shirt wet between her breasts from sweat.

"Sharon wake up. You're having a nightmare."

His words had no effect on her whatsoever. She was captured to deep in her dream. Andy tentative reached out for her shoulders. Gentle he stroke them with his thumbs.

"Hon, wake up. You're having a nightmare."

Startled he released her shoulders, as her eyes popped wide open. There was a panic in them he'd never seen before. Not even that day he found her in the trunk of that car.

Her eyes shifted across the room, while trying to catch her breath. She still looked scared, but the sheer panic had disappeared, so he dared to come closer to the bed again.

"Easy… Let me get you a glass of water."

She vigorously shook her head.

"No, I'm fine. I'm sorry…"

He frowned, slowly sitting down on the edge of her bed.

"What are you apologizing for?"

"I must have had a nightmare."

"Yeah that happens sometimes. No need to apologize."

"I have them a lot. Jack would sleep at home if he had an important case coming up."

Andy raised his eyebrows in surprise. So far Raydor's concern and understanding.

"It comes with the job, hon. I've got them too. It's okay."

He reached out to put his hand on her shoulder, gently squeezing it to comfort her. Watching how her breathing returned to normal. Her chest heaving up and down in a slow and steady rhythm. He wondered though if his words reached her. She still seemed uncomfortable to him. Andy rubbed her arm, kneading it a bit for comfort.

"We see a lot on the job, Sharon… And you've been through a lot. It's okay."

Sharon stared at him. He was so kind and understanding. Jack had been the first time, but not the next and certainly not when it began happening on a regular bases.

"I'm going to get you a glass of water."

She didn't object this time. Raydor was even more of an ass than he believed him to be. Not sleeping with her, just in case she might wake him up, that was ridiculous. He should have supported her, not leave her hanging.

Sharon bit her lip, running her hands through her hair, trying to get her heart rate to return to normal. She was still shook up when Andy returned with an understanding smile and a glass of water in his hands.

"Here you go…"

Her hands trembled, so he covered her hand with his to steady her. He didn't want to smother her, but he was also concerned.

"Do you want to talk about it?... It sometimes helps to talk about stuff."

Andy was so open and wanted to help her. She really wished he could.

"I can't. I don't remember what I dreamt about."

"Just now?"

"Or the other times…"

"Okay."

He usually remembered, but maybe it wasn't like that for everyone.

"Can I do anything to help you?"

A smile formed on her lips. He was so incredibly sweet. She shook her head.

" The glass of water was more than enough, thank you. You better get back to sleep. I've kept you from it long enough."

He smiled, she hardly knew how many times she kept him from his sleep. The mere memory of her touch, her smile would be enough to keep him awake for hours. Andy reached out to gently touch her cheek.

"Have sweet dreams, hon."

She smiled huge at him. The kind of smile that warmed his heart.

"Thank you… You too."

Andy closed his eyes, as he closed the bed room door behind him, resting his back against it. His mind worked overtime wondering what it was that haunted Sharon in her sleep. She'd been through so much already. Their job wasn't easy either. The murdered bodies on the crime scenes. They were called towards would cause nightmares with anyone. If only she could remember them, he might be able to help her cope with them.

Sharon closed her eyes, as she rested her head back on the pillow. She was never able to get back to sleep after one of those bigger nightmares. Although her heart rate returned to normal, adrenaline still rushed through her body.

Her fingers lingered over her cheek. It was still warm from Andy's touch. The look in his eyes would not leave her mind anymore. So sweet, thoughtful, sensitive, caring. He'd been so understanding and patient. Not a hint of anger or impatience, frustration, that he was hauled from his sleep.

He'd even been reassuring. So she wasn't the only one with nightmares. Funny that when jack blamed it on the job it had made her angry. Now Andy referred to it she felt supported. Then again Andy didn't use it as a reason for her to quit her job. That's what annoyed her with Jack's reasoning. He had used every opportunity to make her quit her job.

Jack would blow up if he'd know what she was doing. Posing as a call girl would make him go ballistic. He would never understand this was simply an assignment. He'd make a huge deal out of it. Would probably be afraid who'd see her posing as a call girl. One of his clients maybe. What would people say?

Why was she thinking about Jack? They broke up several months ago. She still believed it was a good decision to make. Maybe her parents were right. She should mingle more socially, meet new people. Since her break up she buried herself in work, maybe it was time, although she didn't feel lonely.

How could she? Living with Andy was very comfortable. He was such a good friend, always there when she needed him. She wondered why he hadn't met another woman yet. He was smart, sensitive, open. Had a good job, didn't look ugly either. He could be very charming and she was sure there were women who'd like to date him.

Maybe he was reluctant after everything he still went through with his ex-wife. She never got him to tell her what ended his marriage. The only thing he'd insisted on was that it had been his fault. It didn't matter, he deserved happiness.

MCMCMCMCMCMCMCMMCMMCMCMCM

Andy looked over his shoulder, smiling as he saw Sharon walking back to forth, telephone in her hand. He let her sleep in, especially after that rough night. So now he was making her some breakfast, while listening to her talking to her mom.

"No momma, ….Yes, momma. No I'm being careful. I just wanted you to know I'm staying at Andy's for a while… I don't know for as long as it takes us to catch our suspect I guess. I am. Andy is watching me like a hawk."

Andy walked over to her with a steaming coffee mug.

"I will. … Momma's sending you her regards."

Andy was captured by her smile.

"Same here."

"Momma don't tell daddy exactly what I'm doing.. Just to be sure keep him away from the Residence Hotel. I don't know, sometimes you'll go out to dinner. Daddy will probably choke in his food when he sees me as some call girl at the bar."

Andy could imagine that. His daughter was still small, but he didn't want to think about her ever being a call girl, pretend or not.

"No, momma, no of course not. No I am save. There are guys from the team. No. Andy is right there with me. He won't let anything happen to me. Give my love to daddy. Hm-mmm I will call soon. Bye bye. Love you."

Sharon hung up and smiled at Andy.

"Momma's worried."

"Of course she is."

Sharon studied Andy's face, the tone of his voice.

"So are you…"

"I'll always be worried about you, hon."

"I'll be fine. Besides you're there with me. What could happen?"

"All sorts of things could happen. I'm not in the room with you. I can only see so much. I can't hear anything that's said…"

"Andy.."

"You were upset yesterday…"

Sharon avoided his eyes. She knew Andy could blow up at anything.

If she was avoiding his eyes, she kept something from him, something big. He wouldn't let it go. Not this time. He crossed the remaining distance between them. Touching her chin with his fingers, making her look at him.

"I couldn't see everything, but you were upset, because of something Sanders did. What did he do?"

Sharon took a deep breath.

"If you won't tell me I will ask Sanders. You know I will get the answer from him one way or the other. "

Yes, she was very much aware of that. She'd better be the one to tell him to do some damage control.

"Sanders was drunk."

Andy bit his lip, turning away.

"Andy it was no big deal."

"You were upset, Sharon. I could tell. You don't get upset over nothing."

"I told him to get his hand off me and he did."

"So he did touch you."

His face distorted into an angry grimace.

"It was nothing."

"Where?"

"Andy…"

"Where?"

"Andy I need you to promise me you won't blow up on him. I handled this, okay?"

"Where?"

"He put his hand on my thigh to make it look more real. I'm sure he'll never do it again."

"Oh he won't. "

"Andy I dealt with it. Promise me you won't punch him down like you did with Dixon."

Andy grunted as he turned away again. She touched his arm.

"Andy. Andy look at me. Promise me."

He was saved by the doorbell. Sharon looked at Andy walking over to the door.

"Be civil."

It was a warning and order in one. He knew better than to go against her. He did not want to argue with her, and definitely not about Sanders. Before he opened the door he looked back at her and met her eyes. She quirked her eyebrow at him, letting him know she meant it and that he'd better listen to her warning. He was happy to great Cohen and not Sanders or that idiot partner of his.

"Cohen. Tell me you wrapped up that case, so I can get either Zygerski or you into that bar. Sanders and Dixon are both idiots. "

"Sorry, we're just here for a quick briefing and the Commander wants you to look at our case as well. Great. Coffee."

Cohen made himself comfortable and before he could close the door again, the others followed in. It took him everything to restrain himself from sending out a clear warning to Sanders.

"Congratulations, Elliot. I heard you were successful in reeling the suspect in."

Sharon gave a brief nod, crudely interrupted by Sander's remark.

"I do want my money back, Commander."

Sharon breathed in annoyed, walking over to the cupboard where she stored last night's money. She walked back to throw it in Sanders lap.

Hamilton noticed the tension between his team members. The steel look in Sharon's eyes. Sanders remark. Andy seemed only amused, once he saw Sharon's action.

"That's still eighty short."

Why did he have to throw oil onto the fire? Andy's muscles immediately tensed, so did Sharon's. The tight smile on her face promised nothing good. She reached over for her purse and got a one hundred dollar bill out that she threw at him.

"Don't mind the change."

Sanders face grimaced angry, ready to get in her face, but changed his mind, as she wouldn't move an inch, her eyes of steel never leaving his. It wouldn't get him anywhere. Flynn would be the next one to jump at him if he'd attack his precious little rich girl.

Andy had one eye on Sharon. She was handling Sanders just fine herself. Maybe he was a bit too protective over her. She looked at him, almost daring him to say something. Sanders didn't though. Hamilton was the first one to break the tension.

"Elliot what are your findings?"

Sharon turned around and sat back on the couch near Andy.

"I don't know what's in it for him yet. He only takes twenty percent. He doesn't have multiple girls. He agreed to do this on my conditions. Just drinks, I had the final say. It doesn't make any sense yet."

"You'll get there."

"That means she'll go back tonight and I want to be in the bar."

Sharon looked surprised.

"You better bring enough money, Flynn. Normally you might be able to grope her for free, but this time it's going to cost you."

Andy's eyes widened, ready to jump up, if not restricted by Sharon's hand lightly padding his thigh. She calmed him without even looking at him.

"Sanders."

Hamilton gave him a stern look.

"Flynn's not going to be the next customer. He's the backup plan. You're on the job until either Cohen or Zygerski wrapped their case up."

"I will be inside the bar."

"No way."

"I can't recall either of you are the Commanding officer here. I am."

"I'll be in the bar. Period. No discussion. This guy is our prime suspect in a murder. She needs back up."

"That's what Sanders is for."

"Drunk?"

"I won't have that hot head in the room! We all witnessed what he did to Dixon and he practically attacked me at the toilet last night. He's a loose cannon!"

"You put your hands on her, you dirty bastard!"

Andy pointed at him, his face and angry red. Sharon looked at him because apparently Andy already had attacked Sanders for the incident the night before.

"It should look real. You have no idea how hard it is to make it look real with this frigid.."

"Watch your words pal!"

"Enough!"

Hamilton's voice silenced the room, while he rose from his chair.

"Both of you better calm down. You, no drinking and a little bit more respect for your colleague would be in place. And you… You are this far away from suspension."

Hamilton looked stern at him, the space between his thumb and his index finger only an inch. Andy wasn't impressed though.

"Fine suspend me."

Hamilton's blood boiled.

"That is not going to keep me away from that bar and for the duration of the assignment Sharon is staying here at my place."

"We can relocate Elliot. "

"I don't want to." Sharon was quick to pitch in.

"No we can't. The guy followed her to this place. He will get suspicious. Would you take that risk?"

"I'm not moving."

Great, now Elliot joined Flynn in being stubborn. Sometimes he regretted putting them together.

"Now I will stay right here. Andy will do his utter best to restrain himself…"

She looked at him as she heard a grunt of discomfort coming from him. He was moping until she quirked her eyebrow and looked intense at him.

"…. And if Sanders will have to play my customer he better keep in mind not to touch me inappropriate and keep professional just do his job."

All men were silent. None of them could recall putting Sharon in charge. Still they were silent. A tight smile formed on her lips.

"So what's this other case we're dealing with…?"

Hamilton found it remarkable how she simply took charge. It wouldn't surprise him if she'd be the commanding officer of a team one day. She stood her ground.

Andy felt her eyes burning at him, ever since the others left. He'd seen the look before. She was angry, no doubt about it.

"Okay. Just let me have it now, hon."

She simply stared at him. It was maddening. Oh God he could not handle her silent treatment.

"Come on. Let me have it. Say what you want to say. I know you want to."

She just looked away and walked towards the bed room.

"Sharon…."

She stopped walking and turned around.

"What do you want me to say?"

"Whatever's on your mind."

"You hurt Sanders."

"Hardly."

She quirked her eyebrow.

"I didn't touch him earlier."

Sharon shook her head he was incorrigible.

"Hey, I deserve some credit for that."

"Andy.."

"I don't like it when you get hurt."

"Andy you can't always protect me for the big bad world, besides I'm a big girl I can take care of myself."

"You're…"

His throat choked. What was he supposed to say? You're the woman I love? You're my partner? She looked questioning at him. Her eyes more vulnerable and open, the initiate anger already forgotten.

"You're very important to me. I don't want to see you hurt."

She smiled so loving, touching his cheek, locking eyes with him for what seemed forever, until she closed the distance between them and wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tight.

"You're very important to me too, Andy."

Andy answered her embrace, relishing the feel of her in his arms. Her warmth, breathing in her scent, it was all very soothing.