AN: I was overwhelmed by how many of you have read the last chapter and by the wonderful reviews! They are so nice to read! Thank you MCTVfan for giving me a bit more insight it was so helpful and nice to read. To the guest reviewers, the kiss will come not in this chapter, but soon.

And yeah for once I've been able to keep my promise to update today. I hope you all enjoy this chapter just as much as the previous one!

A special thanks to glistening sun, who has worked so hard on the beta of this story. All mistakes left are of course mine.

Rated M

Chapter twelve

After she had woken him up several times by screaming in the middle of the night, he was no longer disoriented. He knew the drill, he would walk over to his bedroom and gently wake her up.

"Sharon, hon, wake up, you're having a nightmare. Hey, come on…"

The neighbor banged on the wall.

"Hold your horses!"

She couldn't help that she had these nightmares.

"Wake up, honey, …"

He stroked her arms like he had on previous occasions waiting for her eyes to snap open, for her to catch her breath.

"It's okay… just a bad dream."

He tried to smile reassuringly, while her eyes looked bewildered. His heart broke when he saw tears well up. Vulnerability, frustration, fear, all showed in her moist green eyes.

"Hey…"

He reached out for her, placing his hand on her neck, pulling her to his chest.

"It's okay… It's over. It wasn't real."

His chin rested on top of her head, slowly rocking her.

"It wasn't real."

She could feel Andy's arms tightly wrapped around her. The sound of his heartbeat was soothing, so was the smell of his shirt, in which she buried her slightly runny nose. The way he slowly rocked her back and forth made her feel the safest woman in the world. Sharon cuddled up closer to Andy almost holding onto him for dear life.

Andy was tired of fighting off his feelings for her. How was he supposed to do that, when she threw herself in his arms? How was he supposed to do that, when she was so sad and in need for him? It felt so right to have her in his arms at this moment in time. His lips touched the top of her head. A featherlight touch combined with softly mumbled soothing words.

Was it wrong to do so? Yes. Did it feel right? Yes. He was following his heart in this. Tired of listening to the part of his brain that was screaming at him to stay away from her.

Her eyelids felt heavy. Tired as the only thing she had gotten until now was a very restless sleep. Andy's chest felt so comfortable. She allowed her body to become heavy in his arms.

In between kisses he stroked her hair, his hand gently kneading her neck. He wished he knew what was haunting her in her sleep. He wished he could make it all better somehow. She was probably right, he wanted to protect her from the big bad world. It had already hurt her though. He felt her body getting heavier. Looking down at her, he pushed a strand of hair away from her face, tugging it behind her ear. Her eyes were closed, her breathing pattern calm and even. He smiled. She had actually fallen asleep in his arms.

What was he supposed to do now? He loved the feel of her in his arms. He could hardly spend the rest of the night with her like this. Her grip was tight though, she had an iron hold on him. He hoped she wouldn't feel too awkward in the morning. Sighing he pushed himself backwards to the head of the bed, so he would have something to lean against falling asleep. He had never believed that he would sleep in his bed with Sharon. Hopefully he wouldn't talk in his sleep.

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Andy grinned while he watched Sharon wake up. She looked adorable with her forehead wrinkled and sleepy eyes. He had tried to disentangle her from his chest so he could put her back in bed properly and start breakfast, but she only cuddled up to him more closely, with every movement he made. She blinked her eyes.

"Good morning, hon."

For a moment she looked confused, stuttering a little when she wished him the same.

"You had something of an iron hold on me after you fell back asleep."

She blushed. "Sorry… Are you okay?"

His back hurt a bit, but he was sure Sharon would feel guilty about that, so he simply smiled assuringly. "Sure. How could I not be okay? I slept with this gorgeous woman in my arms. "

Sharon hit him on his chest. He smiled while she pulled herself up.

"I'm so sorry…"

"Hey don't be … Actually it was nice and cozy being back in my warm bed."

"You'll have it back soon enough… Maybe already after tonight."

He didn't want to think about tonight. It had taken all of him the night before to stay calm during Sharon's obviously heated conversation with Mario. He'd been nice until then, leaving it all up to her. Now his true nature was finally showing. He had wanted more and driven her in a corner to accomplish it. They were up to the point that just drinks was no longer acceptable. Sharon had a theory of course and if that theory was correct, her posing as a call girl could be over tonight.

"The Commander is going to be here in an hour. Why didn't you wake me?"

Andy put his hands up in the air, at her accusing tone. Then he quickly got up from the bed, when he noticed Sharon heading to the bathroom.

"No, no, no, let me go first. I need to be ready within the hour as well and that's not happening when you confiscate the place."

Sharon yelled over her shoulder. "Guess you should have woken me up a bit earlier then."

Andy shook his head. So far for his good deed of letting her sleep peacefully after that rough night. Besides he wondered whether he would have managed to wake her up. After she had fallen back asleep, he hadn't even been able to move her, or remove himself from her hold, waking her would have been near impossible as well.

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Hamilton paced up and down not really comfortable with the sudden changes to this plan. "You have a theory, Elliot?"

"Andrea wasn't just doing drinks. We knew that hotel room wasn't hers. We assumed her client had rented the room, but we now know he didn't. Mario could have rented the room. His room was next to it. It makes sense. "

"Yeah Sharon is right. We saw them on that tape arguing in the hallway. Probably wanted to stay nearby in case something happened."

Hamilton frowned. "As protection you mean?"

Sharon shook her head. "No I don't think that was his main concern."

They all looked at Sharon, who sounded so sure.

She rubbed the space between her eyes. "What still bothers me is the fact that he isn't making as much money as you would believe he would."

"He'll earn more now." Cohen added.

Sharon shrugged. "So will I…"

"He forced you into doing more than just drinks. What makes you think he won't start pushing for a higher percentage? Maybe that's what the argument was about with Andrea, he wanted more money."

"That wouldn't have been a reason to kill her, Commander. He already had that money. The men pay him. He could have simply paid her less."

Hamilton pursed his lips. "So the question is what would make him risk killing her?"

"If she threatened his business." Andy was sure of that, and so was Sharon. "If only we could talk to her last customer."

Hamilton studied Sharon. While the others were thinking aloud she did the same quietly. "What are you thinking, Elliot?"

"What would make a steady income for Mario?"

They didn't have a clue, but Sharon seemed to have an idea.

"Those men are married, have good jobs. I don't believe they would want to be associated with a call girl. I'm sure they're willing to pay for him to keep his mouth shut."

"Blackmail." Cohen had been married too many times, he could imagine men letting themselves get blackmailed by a guy like Mario.

Hamilton believed Cohen could be right, but the victim couldn't talk anymore and he doubted the men who were blackmailed would. "You need proof for blackmail."

"That could be a reason for the adjoining rooms." Sharon added.

Hamilton nodded. It wasn't just a hunch. It sounded like a very plausible theory. "We need to catch him in the act or it's not going to hold up in court."

"More importantly, we couldn't haul him in for questioning and keep him long enough to break him." Of course Andy didn't seem so sure about her statement, he would love to have a go at Mario.

Cohen was having a better idea though. "I can rig his room, Commander. We'll be able to see what Mario will be doing."

Hamilton nodded at Cohen. They needed proof somehow.

Sanders brought up an uncomfortable subject. "Isn't there a flaw to this plan?"

He managed to get all of their attention.

"Mario will probably tape what's going on in Elliot's room. We tape him taping and that will be enough to bring him in. "

"There should be something for him to tape, Cohen. Does that mean Elliot will go up with whoever Mario planned as his next blackmail victim?"

Hamilton frowned at the mere idea. "No, of course not. It will have to be one of you."

Cohen smiled teasingly. "Always wondered what you look like in a sexy black negligee, Elliot."

Sharon smiled, shaking her head. "Keep wondering Cohen. You won't be my customer."

"Hey… I've been your faithful customer off and on for the last few weeks. Don't tell me you favor Zygerski or one of those two. That would be a blow to my heart. " Always the dramatic Cohen reached for his heart.

Sharon raised her eyebrow. "Before any of you start getting the wrong idea… if I have to do this I'll be doing it with Andy."

Andy's breathing hitched for a moment. Did she really just say that he would have to be her customer? This was just great. They would have to pretend … he did not even want to think about what they would have to do… not even if it was just pretending.

"Hasn't this guy seen Flynn?"

Yeah, Hamilton was making a good point there for once. At least it stopped his heart from racing now that he saw a way out.

Sharon looked stern. "I'm not doing this with anyone else."

Sharon's voice was determined. It made Andy look at her. Only when he saw the look in her eyes, he could understand what this was doing to Sharon. She must be fully aware of what it would take to make this believable. He should have known she wouldn't want any of the guys with her while doing that. She had already been uncomfortable enough when it had been just drinks and some superficial flirting, a hand on her knee, a stroke of her hair.

She trusted him though, felt comfortable with him. She would walk around his apartment merely wearing a t-shirt. She'd step out of his bathroom in a towel. He had been selfish only thinking about how difficult it would be for him, instead of thinking how hard it would be for her.

Hamilton had his reserves. "It could be a problem…"

"He could have easily been looking at me all those evenings, because he was interested in me. I want Andy."

Hamilton wondered what her partner thought about that. "Flynn?"

Sharon looked at him. Only he, was able to see the vulnerability in her eyes. He could not refuse this, not when she looked at him like that. He was her partner, he owed it to her to keep his act together.

"Sharon's my partner."

Those words granted him a grateful smile from Sharon. He wasn't sure whether she should be. This was going to be very uncomfortable and awkward. Maybe if Sanders were right about them being romantically involved, then this wouldn't be so awkward. Sharon might feel as comfortable, as she could be in a situation like that, but how could he be? How could he be comfortable in pretending to do something he'd been longing for in his dreams for so long already. What if she would notice something? It could ruin everything: their friendship, the way they worked together. They might cross a line they wouldn't be able to cross back again.

"Okay. Cohen you're going to set up some cameras in this guy's room and in both of the adjoining rooms. I'll get judge Sutcliffe to sign you a warrant. "

Cohen nodded and got up, a lot of work was ahead of him.

"Zygerski, set up a surveillance room on the same floor, Sanders, Dixon, go help him set it up. I want everyone present and on top of their game. This is a team effort."

Hamilton moved his eyes towards Sharon and Andy, the only ones remaining on the couch.

"You are not going to go up to that room with a stranger, understood? You're not going to finish this assignment at any cost."

"Don't worry, I won't let her."

Sharon gave him a look, but ended in a smile.

"I'll leave the two of you alone, so you can talk this over."

Andy walked him to the door. Closing it behind their Commander, he didn't want to turn around. He didn't want to face Sharon. He didn't want to risk her seeing the doubt in his eyes.

"I want him caught, Andy. I can feel it in my bones that he was responsible for Andrea's death. I saw something in his eyes yesterday: the need for control."

"You're not going to do something stupid and dangerous."

"Me?" She gave him her best innocent look.

"Yeah, you. I know you."

"Must have been something I picked up from my mentor."

She smiled, her eyes twinkling. How could he not fall for her when she was like this? She was simply irresistible. He shook his head, smiling.

"Don't say that in front of Hamilton. He already believes I'm being a bad influence on you."

"Hm…"

That hum when she smiled, the sound made his spine quiver, made his legs all wobbly.

"I'm sure he sometimes regrets assigning you to me."

"Why? We're a great duo."

"Surely he blames me for you being stubborn, although that's in your nature."

Sharon frowned. "I'm not stubborn."

"Yes you are and that's one of the things I love so much about you."

It was out before he noticed it. A serious slip of the tongue he could not hide anymore. Sharon smiled at him though, not taking it as serious, as he believed she would.

"One of the things? That means there's more you love about me? Oh my, do tell…"

Andy had no idea she was teasing him and his face fell. "Uhm…"

"Come on, there must be more. Don't be scared. I won't bite."

Great, what had he gotten himself into? "Uhm, well, you are very serious in doing your job. You're very professional. Very precise."

She raised her eyebrow. "That's all you can come up with, Andy Flynn? How professional I am?"

She saw the conflicted look in his eyes and had to restrain herself not to burst into laughter.

"What about my beautiful smile and my amazing legs?"

His face paled. The startled look in his eyes made her double over with laughter.

Surprised he looked at her laughing. The sound was so warm and loving. Contagious if he hadn't been this shocked. He could only stare, while she tried to catch her breath.

"Relax Andy, I'm just teasing you. You should have seen your face."

Trying to control her giggles she walked over to him, touching his cheek.

"I'm sorry."

Sharon's eyes locked with his. She felt like she was looking into them for the very first time, when her heart made a small jump. Looking into his eyes gave her a warm fuzzy feeling. She somehow felt complete and at home. There was so much she saw in them. So many feelings, varying from worry to love. How much had changed between them? She couldn't possibly imagine her life without him anymore. The idea literally made her heart ache and caused a panic to rise in her. She felt so comfortable with him, she could be herself with him, no matter what.

What was this warmth that spread inside of her heart when she was looking into his eyes? The feeling confused her. She stared at him, but then pulled her hand away from his cheek. What was happening all of a sudden?

Turning around, she avoided looking at him. "You must be pleased at the prospect of getting your apartment back to yourself."

He didn't want to think about that. In the beginning he'd been afraid to have her around him day in day out. Now he broke out in a sweat, at the idea of not having her around, of not smelling her scent in his apartment, of not looking at her during breakfast; the way she would lean into him in the kitchen while they drank their first mug of coffee of the day; of not wishing her goodnight every evening, of not falling asleep to her hums. He'd miss her so much.

Sharon walked to the bedroom to lay out the clothing she would wear that night. Andy followed her and stared at her from the doorway.

"Are you sure you want to do this? I mean, we can haul him in now, bluff our way into him admitting what he did. Just give me an hour and I'll break him."

"This is the way to go Andy. I want us to have an airtight case. I want him convicted and not released after a few months on some technicality."

"You still sure you're up to this?"

"Yes, of course."

"With me?"

"You're my partner. I wouldn't feel comfortable doing this with anyone else. So how are your acting skills? I hope a bit better than mine."

"Maybe we should talk this over."

"No, let's just improvise when the moment comes. "

Improvise. Would Mario find it odd if he would talk to her all evening? There was no way back.

"So what would you like to see me in. The black or the green?"

She managed to look dead serious even though he was turning away from the negligee on the bed with a horrified look. Again she burst out in laughter.

"I should better ask whether you are up to this. Come on, Andy, don't make such a big deal out of this. Try not to blush tonight, okay?"

"Let's make it our goal to keep your clothes on tonight. The moment the guy will start filming they can drop in and arrest him. With a bit of luck, you will have just finished your first glass of champagne by then."

Andy didn't want to think about other scenarios than that one, because he had no idea how he would deal with that situation.