BLACK JACK AND KINGS OF HEARTS
chapter 14
by Stands With A Fic - Camima
Andy kissed Sharon on the forehead, pacified by her expression in sleep. Her skin stood out starkly against the mess of her auburn hair, spread across the pillow, lips slightly parted. He couldn't take his eyes off of her, fighting the impulse to lean over and kiss her so as not to wake her. Andy thought, however, that that might be a very good way to begin the day; kissing her softly and repeatedly to see her eyes opening in wonder as they met his. He decided to let her sleep a little longer and left the bed silently. He took his phone from the night stand and walked out of Sharon's bedroom barefoot.
Returning to a still-sleeping Sharon, coffee and French toast in hand, he placed them on the nightstand before crawling onto the bed next to Sharon. Lying on his belly, he propped himself up on one elbow so as to lean over Sharon, his other hand caressing her hairline, fingers softly entwined in her hair. He smiled, awestruck by the sight of her. Sharon's breaths were soft and even when suddenly, her lips parted and she emitted a tiny moan. Andy lost to his instincts and leaned onto her frame, pushing his lips against Sharon's and pulling away to watch her reaction, lingering a little longer each time. Andy placed his lower lip between Sharon's and felt her lips capture it. He pulled away and saw a smile spreading across Sharon's lips. Andy returned to deepen the kiss and found Sharon's eager to let him do so as she cupped the back of his neck, pulling him towards her as Andy willingly fulfilled her request, breaking away only when Sharon did as the need to breathe became urgent. Sharon panted softly and as she turned to look into Andy's eyes she smiled. He didn't, his eyes dark and fixed on hers. He wanted her - her body, skin, scent, voice and breath – he wanted every part of her, down to her soul; he wanted to feel her completely. Andy rolled over Sharon onto his side, lying on his back and exhaling. He turned to look at her - to reassure her that everything was alright.
"Good morning, beautiful," he breathed in a rough yet gentle voice.
"Good morning, Andy," she whispered.
Sharon rolled on her side and looked at him, smiling sweetly. Andy could not resist so he rolled back to look at Sharon and shifted closer to her, grabbing her arm and leaning in to kiss her. He pulled back to watch her expression as he smiled tenderly.
Sharon sighed and pulled away, sitting with her back against the headboard of her bed. Andy did the same, understanding that she wanted to talk to him seriously. Sharon smiled at him, and Andy could feel her awkwardness as she blushed slightly. Whatever she had to tell him, he knew it was nothing to worry about.
"Andy," she rolled her lips inwards and licked her lower lip, "I want you too," she said, nodding her head quickly and repeatedly.
"Sharon, I know - I can feel that you do but I also know it's too early for you. It's fine, believe me, it's alright with me. I want you and I want you to feel...ready and I just want you to be happy, okay?" he fixed his gaze on her eyes as she nodded slightly again. "Now, let's have breakfast. I made you French toast - you know - a vital part of the cuddling program," Andy smiled and turned to fetch the plate for Sharon and himself. When he turned to look at Sharon again he found her shaking her head.
"Andy, it's not as simple as that," Sharon shook her head, frowning awkwardly yet cutely all at once.
"Oh...I see," Andy said, his eyes telling Sharon he couldn't quite understand what she meant. He turned to put the plate back onto the night stand, "Sharon," he continued, turning to her again, "you can tell me anything, okay? I'm Andy - I'm your friend and I love you." He knelt and drew closer to her, watching her intently with an intense expression.
"I know," Sharon smiled as she cupped his cheek, "Andy I think about you and...well, almost all the time actually," she blushed and he felt his heart skip a beat at her words, "and the things we do together, I like them very much…" she shrugged and breathed out as she blinked slowly. "I want you too and I like it when you...but," she released a deep quick breath, "Okay. Andy, I'm not used to the idea of showing myself so…completely to a man again. It's been so long, and the only man who ever saw me was Jack – and I was younger and…prettier," Sharon realized that she was awkward about her body but hadn't realized until the prospect of sex had become a reality. She yearned for Andy but somehow felt uneasy and ashamed of showing herself naked. She had been at ease with her body when only she could see it, her look and style minimalist and perfect, until Andy kissed her. Rather, when she had felt him restraining himself around her. She yearned for him, wanting him to go deeper. Telling herself that it was normal and right for her to desire Andy, she still felt somewhat scared by the intensity of her feelings for him. She hadn't felt this way in so long, when she was younger and in love – oh God! Was she in love?
Andy was listening to her attentively, looking at her tenderly. He thought that she couldn't be any cuter – even in awkwardness – but was glad that she was confiding such delicate matters in him. He really appreciated her honesty and was overwhelmed by the feelings for her flooding within him. Andy realized with astonishment what Sharon meant to tell him. She was afraid he might not find her - her body – beautiful or attractive. Andy looked at Sharon, shock painting his face - he couldn't believe what he'd heard! She was so beautiful and he...well, she liked him and that was enough to feel handsome, but if anyone should be having those thoughts it should be him! Andy leaned toward Sharon and cupped her face.
"Oh, Sharon, if you only knew how I feel next to you. You are so beautiful and exciting – you're hot! You can't even imagine how I feel and what I have to do to control myself when I kiss you, or even just when you're around me," he said strongly, his voice transitioning from high and raspy to a low growl, "Sharon...I can hardly control myself at work too...all I can think about is being here with you, alone and able to talk as lovers do. I can't wait to hold, kiss and cuddle you – I think of laughing with you and… I want you, okay? I want your body against mine, I want to feel your skin all over my body, the warmth of your body covering mine. I want to caress and kiss every inch of you - your wonderful, hot curves, slender, wonderful legs, your breasts, bottom and hips – your navel, even!" He plucked her lips with his, ignoring her disbelief and awkward smile. He kissed her intensely, as though he merely wanted to pour the entirety of his feelings for her into her. He pulled away and saw that even if not convinced yet, she was willing to let him continue. "And I'm ready to wait for you to realize that, I don't mind," he said honestly and fondly, "but...I'll do anything in my power to make you feel as great as you are, Sharon."
He grinned naughtily and wagged his eyebrows once causing Sharon to giggle, amused and thrilled by Andy's promise to both wait for her to be ready and help her become comfortable.
Andy checked his watch, 6:23 P.M., as he slid his middle fingertip across the screen of his phone before putting it back on the kitchen countertop. She would be home in approximately forty minutes with vegetarian food and had insisted that he go home and relax. Whilst Andy's blood pressure was under control, he had recently had to change the dosage of his hypertension medication and had felt slightly dizzy all day. Sharon had given him the keys of her apartment and had ordered him to wait for her there.
Andy went to open the door, rubbing his hands and smiling gleefully at the thought of welcoming Sharon with a warm hug and a warmer kiss. He had planned a relaxing night for her and, on the way to her apartment; he had collected a few things for a special night, smiling at the idea of Sharon's expression as he opened the door.
He was the surprised one, however, as his eyes widened at the sight of an equally shocked Jack. He two continued to mirror the other's disgruntled expression for a moment. Andy's expression became threatening and laden with disdain, his eyes narrow and dark twinkling maliciously as his jaw clenched in a look of disgust, his upper lip curling slightly into a snarl. Jack looked at Andy through sardonic eyes before pursing his lips.
"Oh of course, Lieutenant Flynn...another urgent dispatch for Sharon?" he asked, raising his brows provocatively.
"Surprised, Jack?" Andy spat his name in disgust. "Let me guess…you didn't see my car parked when you came to spy on Sharon and so you thought...hey! An opportunity!" he continued trying to control his anger, crossing his arms tightly.
Jack sneered at him, satisfied. "Well, I daresay you're very close to Sharon if she told you about, well…you must be awfully concerned too," he replied jeeringly.
Andy shook his head disbelievingly at Jack's nerve.
"What are doing here, huh? Courting Sharon with your lovely threats, you bastard?" Andy asked with a sarcastic smile.
"Andy, come on...are you playing the knightly lover? Seriously? You? If I remember well we have several things in common, don't we? The fact is; I'm fairly certain that Sharon's just making the same mistake again – falling for another bad egg…" Jack shook his head, smiling slyly. It took all of Andy's strength not to punch Jack in the face. Sharon would be back in a while and he had to get rid of Jack, but not in the way he would like to.
"Yeah, Jack, there are certain similarities between us, but that ends with Sharon – she doesn't owe you anything, and neither do I. If you've been too much of an idiot not to understand how precious she is – to think that threatening her will bring her back – then I pity you. Let me put this into terms you'll understand; you overplayed your hand – badly, I might add – and lost a treasure worth more than a fortune. I made the same mistake, learned from it and moved on. That is what Sharon wanted from you all those years and has found in me. Besides which, I didn't try to win her favor by spying on her or threatening her – highly unattractive, not to mention ill recommended means that you have been employing. I'll offer you this advice: leave Sharon alone!" Andy hissed. The mention of Sharon's name created a rift of competition between them, as though they were physically pulling her out of the arms of the other.
"Well...we may have different opinions about propriety, but at least I'm not having an affair with my boss. I wonder what Taylor would have to say about that?" Jack said in mock wonder as he raised his brows. Andy smiled with genuine amusement, and Jack grew suspicious.
"Well, Jack, I've got a card up my sleeve too. Apart from the fact that I asked FBI Special Agent Howard to investigate the odd circumstances regarding the sudden disappearance of your debts, I'm pleased to inform you that I filed a transfer back to Robbery-Homicide with Taylor this morning. Y'know, just to prevent any possible issues in future," Andy said in a calm, matter-of-fact tone, his eyes hinting at a somewhat homicidal lilt.
"Jack," Sharon interrupted in a startled tone as she appeared behind him, stunned and looking to Andy to
confirm that nothing serious had happened, "what are you doing here?" she asked thickly, her voice laden with concern as she swallowed with difficulty.
"Sharon, I just came..." Jack looked pointedly at Andy, "to say good-bye. I'm going back to Vegas to…fix some matters." He forced a smile as he looked at her. She looked stunning, and it ached to know he had lost her forever (to know that he had most likely never had her). And he had acted terribly, again. She looked surprised and then relieved but only for an instant. Sharon couldn't help feeling suspicious about everything.
She looked into his eyes piercingly and couldn't help asking, "Jack is everything alright?"
Her question surprised herself and caused Andy to raise his brows in pure bewilderment. How could she possibly be concerned about him? Andy shook his head and smiled internally, what did he expect? Sharon was like that, unable to ignore others' difficulties and problems. It had been the same with Andy himself, which was also how they had become friends and partly why he had fallen for her. She was good and unable to bear a grudge for long. She was only stiff and cold to protect herself.
Jack nodded his head once and started to walk away, looking defeated. Sharon frowned and turned to look at Andy, her eyes wide and abashed. Andy looked at her as he pursed his lips, nodded his head and raised brows, almost asking whether Jack was actually leaving. She then forced herself to step into her apartment and shut the door, turning her back on Jack for what would hopefully be the last time – or at the very least, the last time under these circumstances.
Sharon found Andy's loving, reassuring arms around her and she decided to enjoy them, ignoring Jack and the real reason for his departure after expressing his intention to ruin her life once more through threats. Also ignored was the bag containing dinner that Andy had caused her to drop on the floor as he pulled her into him.
Sharon breathed Andy's scent deeply, enjoying the smell of his eau du toilette, a fresh and clean scent that matched Andy's smell and personality. She loved that she could smell his scent when she walked around her apartment, surprised by it in the rare moments of his absence. She could even recognize his scent when she entered the murder room, and this often caused her to smile and flush, not completely unaware of the puzzled looks her team exchanged.
"Andy," she pulled slightly away from him as she talked, "would you tell me please what happened with Jack?" she looked into Andy's eyes. She was curious but unconcerned, showing Andy that she trusted him.
"Sharon, don't worry it's alright. Nothing happened really. We just briefly talked...and then you arrived," Andy said as if speaking of a matter of no importance. Sharon's eyes widened as she tilted her head slightly to the side. She slipped off her shoes.
"Andy, you're not going to tell me, are you?" she asked softly as tender suspicion arose in her eyes.
"Not really, not right now. Just trust me, okay?" he smiled sincerely and fondly at her. Andy pulled away and picked up the restaurant bag from the floor. Grabbing Sharon's left hand, he led them both to the kitchen.
Sharon inhaled sharply, her mouth dropping open at the sight of the romantically set table, candles gracing almost every surface of the room. Before she could speak Andy took off her glasses and put them down onto the counter. He then grabbed her waist, pulled her into him with one quick movement and kissed her lips. Now his lips moved against hers in sultry, slow ministrations. Sharon closed her eyes and let out a soft, heavy breath against Andy's lips. Her arms loosened at her sides, dangling slightly as euphoria radiated through her whole body, pulsating as he slid an arm up her back, embracing her completely and pressing her luscious body against his. Sharon was backed up against the fridge, her front pressed completely into Andy's chest, melded as one. Andy slid a hand on her hip and down along her outer thigh and the fabric of her skirt. Looking into her eyes as he raised the hem of her skirt, he ghosted his fingertips under it, caressing her thigh. Sharon quivered at his touch and her lips parted as she panted lightly. Her leg reacted to Andy's touch, bending at the knee to allow Sharon to entwine her ankle with Andy's calf. Her hips rocked against his in spite of her. She was losing control and she felt she couldn't do it - not yet. She breathed in quickly as she desperately pushed Andy aside as she pulled away. Andy was looking at her, panting as though he might fall to the floor. Sharon looked at him and shook her head.
"I'm sorry Andy," she choked "I can't, I can't - this is going too fast for me - I can't," she felt so sorry and spoke as if she had caused him several injuries.
Andy, who had restrained himself from cursing, thought his groin would implode after she had invited him in, only to immediately push him away afterwards. As he looked up at Sharon's shocked, apologetic and scared expression however, he felt like a dirt bag. He had inadvertently pushed her to do something she wasn't ready to do.
"Sharon, I'm so sorry, I really am, believe me. Oh my God..." he said, almost to himself, in a deep, sincere voice, "What was I doing? Are you alright?" he asked, alarmed by his behavior.
"I am," Sharon replied, shaking her head, "don't apologize. I want you, Andy, but I can't lose control like that. I just can't."
Andy looked at her, alarmed by her discomfort and feeling filthier with each mention of Sharon's frustration. He could not bear the sight of her tiny figure leaning so desperately against the fridge and away from him – could not bear to hear the tremor in her voice. He drew closer and tenderly lifted her chin with his fingertips.
"Shh, it's alright - it's alright - I know," he looked at her and saw her visibly relax. After a brief silence, he said, "I have a surprise for you. I wanted to help you relax," he smiled pitifully at himself as he shook his head. He continued to look Sharon in the eye as he added "nothing like that will ever happen again. I promise. Just promise me that you'll let me know when you're ready to…lose control, okay?" he spoke softly with a sincere voice and gaze. Sharon smiled softly and gratefully as she nodded her head once.
Andy grabbed Sharon's hands and pulled her as he led them towards the bathroom and said, "Close your eyes."
Sharon raised her brows, licked her lower lip and inhaled slightly, intrigued. The last thing she saw was Andy's smile.
Andy guided Sharon inside her bathroom and as he grinned widely he said, "Here we go, you may open your eyes now."
"Oh, Andy..." Sharon said, recovering her voice after the shock from the surprising sight. She put her hands on her cheeks in a look of abject surprise, her mouth falling open almost comically. Her bathroom was full of candles, a pathway carved between them leading to the bathtub. Sharon drew closer and she saw the tub was filled with bubbles. In one corner stood a wine bucket containing Cabernet Sauvignon Blanc, and a single glass. On the floor, Andy's laptop played Tchaikovsky's The Waltz of the Flowers.
Sharon turned to Andy, caught by a whirlwind of emotions; she could not believe this was happening to her. She drew closer to him and, as she cupped his face and pushed her body against him, she whispered, "Andy, no one has ever done something like this for me." she shook her head with a disbelieving smile, her eyes twinkling with the intense emotions his actions evoked.
Andy put his arms around her and rubbed her back, "This is nothing compared to what you deserve, beautiful," he said intently, yet somehow bitterly. His heart sank, unable to believe that nobody had ever done anything so caring, yet so simple, for her. Andy kissed Sharon on her forehead and said, "and I mean to give you everything," he smiled, fondly. "Now, enjoy your bath and take your time, okay?" Sharon nodded once. "When you are ready for dinner, you'll find me in the kitchen, waiting for you." He kissed her lips and looked at her as she watched him almost-wondrously. He smiled again as he returned his lips to hers. They both found in each other the same need to deepen the kiss. When he felt their kiss was going too deep and too far, Andy stopped to prevent himself from pulling Sharon down and laying her on the floor as his mind urged him to do. He pulled away and went back to the door, his eyes in hers as they twinkled for him. At the door's threshold, he heard Sharon murmur so softly that he thought he had hallucinated it, "I wouldn't mind a little company." Andy looked at her, struck by emotion and gazing at her in askance, attempting to understand what she had said. The image of their bodies entwining in the tub with no possibility for water and bubbles to flow between filled his mind. Sharon blushed at the sight of Andy's expression and colour, realizing that her phrasing was somewhat misleading; she hurried to rectify it, "you could soap my back." She hoped that this would make her intentions clear to him, but gently. Andy smiled as he recovered from the shock, and while she felt awkward, she was trying her best to be intimate with him.
Even though it may not have been in the way he had thought, Andy was glad that she was letting him in and replied, "Sure darling, I'll wait outside." He blew her a kiss as he turned, teasingly adding, "I won't look through the keyhole, promise."
He raised a hand in the air and put the other on his chest, grinning to the side and raising a brow. Sharon's giggle reached him outside the bathroom as he shut the door.
Sharon appeared in the kitchen like a heavenly creature. Barefoot, her body was wrapped in a white robe, hair still pinned up and with slightly fuzzy wet strands dangling around her face, framing it. Her cheeks were rosy and her demeanor completely relaxed. She smiled at Andy's mesmerized expression as she drew closer, her beauty enhanced by the candlelight. Andy reached for her chair and pulled it out for her. Sharon sat and crossed her legs, the hems of her robe sliding apart and revealing her thigh. She looked up at Andy as her hands hurried to put them together again. But, to Andy's surprise and delight, she let go of the hems again, despite blushing at Andy's encouraging reaction. She found that she actually liked the way he looked at her – the fact that she made him breathless with one flash of her thigh. She was aware of the looks and comments about her and her legs at work. She always pretended to ignore and not to care about them, for as far as she was concerned she didn't find certain looks or comments flattering. In Andy's case however, she did care and she was feel glad.
After dinner Andy noticed that Sharon seemed somewhat pensive. He thought she might be regretting her latest impulse and was trying to approach the subject as delicately as possible while clearing the table and extinguishing the candles. As he was doing so, he felt Sharon hug him from behind in the kitchen's dim lighting. She put her arms around him and her hands slid to his chest, pushing her body against his and embedding her forehead in the crook between his shoulder blades.
"Andy, what will we do if Jack returns - if he threatens to inform Taylor about us - or if we are found out?"
Andy turned to look at Sharon, glad that she didn't regret her gesture of intimacy and said, "Sharon, trust me, you don't have to worry about Jack anymore. And, as far as I'm concerned, I'm pretty sure we'll find a way to deal with this new situation sooner than expected." He smiled reassuringly.
"How can you be so confident?" she whispered, concerned. "It feels like it will never end. Every time we think we've found some balance, there's always something to spoil it." Sharon sighed with a tired look in her eyes.
"Sharon, there will always be times like this, I guess. We've kept this a secret, so far," Andy said honestly, "but don't worry; we'll find a way to make this work. Trust me, okay?" He leaned forward and put his forehead against hers as she nodded.
"Andy," she whispered softly after a brief silence as they remained in that position, their eyes closed "we are a couple, aren't we?" Andy felt his heart skip a beat and then thump in his chest crazily, somersaulting, almost.
He pulled away slightly and returned to look into Sharon's eyes, "Yes," he smiled widely, "of course we are." His voice rose as he struggled to contain the joy he felt at hearing her say so.
Sharon smiled fondly and hugged him, squeezing his body as she said, "Everything will be alright so long as you are with me," Andy wrapped his arms around her more tightly, cupping the back of her neck and kissing her head.
Pulling away, he said quietly, "I always will be." and smiled. Then, grabbing Sharon's hand, he led them to the balcony and opened the French window, embracing her tightly as he shouted, "SHARON AND ANDY ARE A COUPLE!" and muffled Sharon's giggles in a hail of kisses.
As the day unfolded, Andy felt the weight of Sharon's distance. Although they had worked together and she was sitting in the room next to his desk, they were not together as they usually were. He shook his head slightly, feeling like a young boy in love for the first time. He then reconsidered this feeling, realizing that he actually felt better than young love thanks to his age. Somehow, Sharon was his first love after decades of waiting and he couldn't remember the last time he had felt so intense about any one person. He turned to look at her through the glass wall but he found the blinds shut. He looked at his watch, 5:12 P.M..
He stood up and went to knock on her door, when he heard Provenza say, "The Captain isn't in, Flynn." Andy turned, surprised and a little irritated at the fact that Provenza knew where Sharon was, but he chose to ignore it. "She went to talk to Taylor," Provenza continued as he fixed his friend with a suspicious expression.
"What?" Andy feared it had to do with Jack putting his threats to action, "When?" he asked, alarmed, as he strode across the murder room towards the Chief's office.
"A-Forty minutes ago...hey, Flynn - Flynn?! What the hell is going on?!" Provenza tone went from irritated to alarmed.
Andy ignored his friend and jogged to Taylor's office - Sharon wasn't answering her cell.
Andy arrived at Taylor's door, panting slightly as he raised his fist to knock when the door sprang open for the Chief and Sharon to exit. Andy's concerned expression met Sharon's stunned one.
Taylor rolled his eyes and decided to break the ice, "Lieutenant Flynn I'm glad you are here so that the Captain can immediately brief you on our meeting," he said speaking their ranks loud and with exaggerated emphasis, almost as though he was trying to assure the entire floor – or even the entire building – that his two subordinates were only in a professional relationship.
"Captain," he continued looking at Sharon, "I appreciate your sincerity and I'll speak in your favor when reporting to Chief Pope," Taylor said, nodding his head
"Thank you Sir, I appreciate it," Sharon said, avoiding Andy's gaze, feeling his stare piercing a hole in her cheek.
"Lieutenant Flynn," Taylor said, turning to Andy, "well I guess you have no secrets for your, uh, Captain," he spoke her rank louder, causing Andy to roll his eyes as Taylor briefly returned to meet Sharon's eyes.
Sharon felt she was missing something and her feeling was confirmed by Taylor as he said in a very low voice, "At present, I reject your application for transfer, at least until the situation can be monitored and reported back to me. I trust the Captain fully and personally have no doubt concerning both of you and your professionalism."
Andy could feel Sharon's piercing gaze as she attempting to make eye contact with him.
After they thanked and saluted the Chief, Sharon and Andy walked down the corridor and back to the now- empty murder room in silence. They exchanged intense looks, and Andy saw Sharon's stare laden with a gamut of emotions. He knew they could not talk there in the corridor. They would have to wait until home. He had found out she had reported to Taylor about their relationship, she had discovered he had asked for transfer. Well they both had something to discuss with the other – to clear the air between them. Andy was eager to know why she hadn't talked to him before talking to Taylor, but could admit that she would ask him the same. She probably wouldn't object to the fact that she should have been informed first as his boss, but would simply ask him why. He would have the same question. And all they could do then was to remain together to face whatever happened next.
Sharon was shocked and overwhelmed by her emotions. She wanted to ask Andy to leave her alone when with Taylor but she didn't want to have to rephrase it as an order, and certainly not in front of Chief Taylor. She knew that Andy would have probably told her it was about Sharon and Andy and not Captain Raydor and Lieutenant Flynn, but she doubted it was as simple as that. She felt concerned about the fact that Andy, though animated by the sincere will to protect her, had not respected her rank. Sharon wasn't offended, of course, but feared that Andy might have difficulty keeping their personal and professional relationships separated. Sharon was sorry and scared at the thought. She had to talk to Andy but felt totally bewildered at the thought that he was ready to return to Robbery-Homicide in order to save her job and reputation. This proved that Andy was ready to put his job and his career below their relationship, but what consequences would that have for them and the rest of the team? She told herself that Andy would only risk personal consequences and would never jeopardize an operation or damage those around him. Sharon, however, couldn't feel the least reassured by such a thought. Rather, she felt shocked and scared but she couldn't yet figure out why.
They entered her office and Sharon turned to Andy as he shut the door behind them, "Andy, I really need to be alone now," she spoke honestly and tenderly. She didn't mean to sound rough. She was overwhelmed by her thoughts about Andy and their relationship and she really needed process it. She felt her heart sinking at the sight of Andy's expression, hinting it was more serious than that and yet unable to figure out the reason why. She felt miserable as she realized for the first time that the situation could quickly spiral out of control despite her caution and sacrifice. She felt sick and tired and she couldn't help thinking about it.
"Sharon," Andy dared in low, bitter voice, "please don't push me away - don't shut me out – please talk to me about whatever it is, Sharon, please." She saw his eyes darken with sorrow and maybe fear and she could not bear the sight of him like that. "This isn't the right place, okay? I know, even if there's nobody left here but the two of us, so please Sharon, let's go home,'' her eyes widened at hearing him call her apartment 'home' ''or anywhere you want to go, but please let's talk about this…" Andy shook his head trying to figure out what was really going on. He could not understand why but he felt like so close to losing her and panic was spreading in his chest.
Sharon sighed and drew closer to him. She cupped his cheek, "Andy" she started, trying to sound reassuring.
"I don't understand," Andy let out in a heavy breath as he closed his eyes and rubbed his cheek against her palm, "I feel like I'm losing you, all of a sudden - right here, right now - and I can't stop this, I don't even know why."
Andy's words felt like a shot to the got, and Sharon was stunned. She suddenly realized what had happened with clarity - he loved her to the point that he'd give up his work for her and she realized that was the real reason why she was so shocked and wanted to push him away. She felt hurt because Andy hadn't thought that she might not want him to leave his place in the team for her. She was scared by the power of his feelings for her. A power able to turn their lives upside down. Besides, Sharon remembered all the times Andy had told her to trust him and to talk to him, knowing now that she had to trust him because she had no choice – she truly wanted them to be a couple. He was much more important to her than she had allowed herself to see.
Sharon felt the push to comfort Andy, realizing that she needed to help and reassure him – to support him as he had at the beginning of their relationship. She felt glad to welcome that side of her back, as though she were finally regaining her balance despite the destabilizing events of the last few months. Sharon looked into Andy's eyes and saw his pain fade away as he detected the way her gaze had changed. He watched her looking at him in loving awareness, as happened at the beginning of their friendship. Her eyes were confident and intent at the same time. Andy felt relief radiate through his chest as a tear escaped him. He felt no shame but simply gratitude to her and for her.
"Let's go home ,Sharon, please, let's go home," he took her hand, cupping his cheek and kissing the back of it first. Her palm rested across his cheek and he closed his eyes, blinking his tears away and letting his emotion show. He felt Sharon's cheek collect it as it slid down to his jaw and she nodded once.