NEW DEAL
P1
Chapter 20
by Stands With a Fic
As the end of MC Summer S3 is approaching, I'm hoping for Shandy Winter events ! Thanks for your support and for following this story! Special grateful thanks to my extremely patient Beta CmemLovr!
Provenza watched as Andy walked over to him, ascribing the word 'radiant' to his appearance – something he had been for several months now. Louie was happy to see his friend like that, even if he was hiding something from him. Provenza was sure that the change in Andy was due to the Captain, or rather, Sharon. Provenza himself had called her 'Sharon' on some occasions, usually when she needed a friend to reassure her or advise her. While he didn't use her name with the same connotation Andy did, he felt it was a start. Initially, Provenza had warned Andy off of using Sharon's given name. However, as time had worn on, Andy used Sharon's name every time her rank was unnecessary as though he enjoyed the taste of it on his tongue. Gradually, his gaze had transitioned from friendliness and fondness to…love.
"Hey, Louie! Sorry for yesterday - I completely forgot! You know, we were..." Andy stopped suddenly at the realization of how central in his life Sharon had become – the awareness of it giving him a feeling of warmth and familiarity.
"Andy," Provenza grimaced, shaking his head and throwing out his hands in a gesture that begged Andy to stop. "'We' is what we need to discuss."
Andy couldn't help grinning slightly at the thought of finally informing Provenza. "Sure," he said as he walked into the hallway, "that's why I'm here." Sitting down, Andy made himself comfortable on Provenza's couch.
"D'you want a drink?"
"Nope," Andy shook his head, "I'm fine, thanks," he smiled.
"Oh for God's sake, Flynn! Let's get straight to the point or I might puke from your star-struck lover crap!" Provenza shouted with a hint of a smile ghosting about his lips despite his tone.
"Okay, so..."
"It's become pretty damn obvious, Flynn." Provenza sat beside Andy and raised his brows as if he minded his brazenness. Shrugging slightly and shaking his head, Andy indicated that no, he didn't mind at all. "She's more than a close friend – you are no longer 'just friends' and that has become blatant. Explain what you have to just," Provenza paused, the recollection of the sound of the Captain through Flynn's apartment door assaulting his memory, "spare me the details," he choked.
"-Louie," Andy interrupted, his voice calm but steady, "Sharon and I are in a relationship," he informed him simply but seriously.
"No, Flynn, you're not. You might be having…fun together but-" Provenza's voice was disbelieving, almost concerned by his friend's conviction.
"Yes, we are. We are in a relationship, Louie," Andy countered stubbornly, somewhat frustrated by Provenza's refusal to accept the truth.
"Andy, listen to me carefully. You think you're in a relationship with the Captain."
"Sharon."
"Don't call her that, please, not in front of me..."
Andy rolled his eyes before raising his voice slightly, "Sharon! She is the love of my life and we've been practically living together for the last eight months. She loves me too and…" Andy stopped abruptly, consideration dawning on him, "and I think I might even propose to her."
Provenza looked aghast. He hadn't realized that Andy had become so involved with Sharon that he was actually thinking about marrying her.
"Go on..." he encouraged him to speak, the change in his attitude reflecting that he'd understood and wanted to hear more despite his initial shock.
"Louie...she's unbelievable! You can't imagine how tender and funny she is – how cute and vulnerable she can be. She's my life and I can't imagine living without her. She brings out the best in me – makes me happy and is always there for me – she makes me happy. And now, she loves me. It's surreal," he said somewhat dazedly, a smile on his lips as he shook his head slightly.
"Does she know you're telling me?" Provenza's voice was calm – almost gentle – and hoarse from unexpected emotion, his gaze intense and caring.
Andy nodded his head in response, adding, "We decided this together. She reported to Taylor pretty early on, but we had orders not to tell the team until we reached…at turning point. Sharon wants to tell the team after we talk to Taylor on Monday."
Andy looked at his friend, waiting for a comment, a joke or a blunt utterance. Provenza looked into his eyes and after a long instant said, "I've never seen you this… radiant before. Andy I'm with you if this is what you want. In fact, I'm with you both. Just…treat her – the Captain-Sharon – right, okay? Better than right, because she deserves it after all she's been through. Take care of her." Andy smiled and nodded.
"It's been a priority of mine for quite a while now."
"Sharon? You seem pensive," Andy put the knife down, reaching for the tomato in Sharon's hands before setting it down on the counter. "Hey," he said quietly, a caring expression on his face, "tell me what's wrong, beautiful."
"Nothing, really," she smiled, a hint of unease lingering in her expression. Andy's brows rose, his head tilted inquisitively to the side. Her shoulders dropped as she looked at him, her brow furrowing but touched by his concern for her.
"Andy, I'm scared. We need to handle this gently – the team might not be prepared for…us."
"Sharon, I can understand that but those who already know – Buzz and Provenza – have both supported us, been happy for us, even. I don't think the rest of the team will have any complaints."
"Andy, we've worked hard not to allow our relationship to affect our professionalism and," Sharon inhaled quickly, exhaling in a sigh, "I think we've managed to, for the most part. But they will need time to adjust – we can't just drop this on them."
Andy smiled fondly and tenderly "Sharon, you're right – we have behaved professionally – and that won't stop just because we've told the team that we're together! They've had the last eight months as proof that we can still work well, and I think that most of them already suspect anyway."
"You have a point, but there's always a massive difference between suspecting and knowing, Andy." Sharon looked Andy in the eye, her hand moving as though punctuating her speech. She shook her head, her hands finding her waist. Andy stepped closer to Sharon, passing his arms through hers and pulling her closer to him, rubbing her back gently. Her chin resting on his shoulder, Sharon looped her arms around Andy's neck, her elbows on his shoulders.
"Sharon, we'll talk to Taylor and the team and everything will work out just fine," Andy said, pulling away slightly to look into her eyes, "we're going to take this slowly and do this right – we're going to act like we always have and work this out." His voice was low, reassuring, as he offered her a confident smile. Abruptly, his expression became thoughtful.
"What's wrong, Andy?" Sharon's body tensed in his arms, her discomfort returning.
"I hadn't considered before-" Andy's eyes traveled the room.
"Andy, what?" She put her hands on his chest, cupping his cheek and directing his gaze towards her.
"I- I will be free to kiss you in front of everybody - to talk to you like...you know, couples do." He winked cheekily, returning his eyes to hers in time to see her indignant expression slowly transition to one of realization.
Composing herself, Sharon said, "While you can do what you please, I fully intend to continue behaving professionally. Which means you have to, too," she teased; her voice mock-firm.
"Yeah? Well, we'll see, you might change your mind with time."
"No, Andy, I won't," she said gravely.
"C'mon, Sharon, you know I'm kidding, right? I'd only kiss you when it's appropriate for the bet," Andy grinned. Sharon shook her head, horror-struck by his suggestion. Eyes narrowing, she turned and picked up two other tomatoes to wash them.
"Sharon" Andy called, still grinning. Without turning to him, Sharon picked up the knife and started slicing a tomato. "Sharon?" Andy's brows rose as he chanted her name softly, a smile spreading on his lips when he saw Sharon attempting to stifle the smile that threatened to light her face. Her lips pursed, cheeks rising as she put the knife down, tilting her head towards him pensively. Would he actually behave 'freely' once the team knew about them? It wouldn't be appropriate, but Sharon couldn't necessarily say that she would dislike his attention when they had no pressing work to be done. She suppressed these thoughts.
Andy moved behind her, his chin resting on her shoulder and his arms wrapped around her chest.
"I know you Catholic girls," he murmured in her ear, "You're all the same. Shocked and blushing at first – so prim and proper – but hot and insatiable once you get to it," he whispered raspingly.
"I didn't know you were such an expert," Sharon teased shakily, "Do you have a soft spot for Catholic girls?"
"Just the one, actually." Sharon smiled and continued to prepare dinner, as Andy kissed the column of her neck, feeling Sharon swallow hard and accelerate her breathing. "But," Andy whispered, "IF we have to behave at work, then we're going all out at home." Andy paused long enough to look at Sharon's profile as she turned to watch him. "At home, I'll act as I am now and, oh! Sharon, we'll be able to do what couples do." He concluded heatedly, his lips moving to her earlobe and jaw immediately afterwards.
His hands tugged Sharon's skirt out of her waistband as she panted slightly in excitement, his hands moving across her chest to her hips, meandering slightly. Sharon whispered consent against his lips, melting into Andy's touch at the thought of their 'freedom'. Turning to face him, her alabaster skin stood stark against her dark shirt and bra. She smiled at Andy's heated gaze, stepping away from the kitchen and into the hallway.
Andy followed her with an uncertain gaze until he rounded the corner and she turned to look at him purposefully, her chin titled towards the direction of the bedroom door. Andy's lips widened in an expectant grin as he reached for her hips.
"Sharon, wait," Andy whispered as his breaths quickened, "allow me to undress you." Sharon lay on the bed, enjoying Andy's feverish attention. She smiled, finding his eagerness and passion sweet. Andy continued to roam the surface of her neck with his lips, grabbing Sharon's hip suddenly and flipping them so that she was on top. The motion had not interrupted his ministrations in the slightest as his lips eagerly covered Sharon's. Reaching up, he steadily unfastened her bra with one hand, chucking it on the floor somewhere with the other hand. Rolling on top of her, Andy stopped to admire Sharon before reaching for her previously unbuttoned skirt and tugging it down; aided by Sharon who shucked it off in some unseen direction. Overwhelmed by their mutual need to devour one another, they had fallen onto the bed hurriedly, their feet facing the door. Clad in only unbuttoned trousers and underpants, Andy felt Sharon's silken warmth directly beneath him, savoring the moans that he elicited with his searing kisses. Sharon's hands cupped his cheeks, holding him gently as she tousled his hair.
"Sharon! I'm home!"
Sharon and Andy stopped abruptly, matching expressions of horror on their faces.
"Rusty?" she hissed, pushing Andy away from her and pulling the blanket about her body. Andy reached for the door, shutting it as Rusty was about to walk past it.
"Sharon? Are you alright?"
Sharon shook her head as she knelt on her bed, hands covering her face in embarrassment. Inhaling deeply, she attempted to maintain a neutral tone as she replied reassuringly, "Hi honey! I'm great. (This she said somewhat sarcastically) I'll be with you in a moment, okay?"
"Okay, I'll unpack my bags, then."
"Alright, Rusty."
Sharon's smile disappeared as soon as the charade was over. She quickly scanned the floor for her discarded clothes, picking them up as she went along.
"Sharon?" Andy whispered as he helped Sharon back into her clothes.
"He didn't tell me he would be back now," she whispered in irritation.
"Sharon, we weren't doing anything wrong and it's pretty obvious he didn't tell you, but wouldn't now be a good opportunity to tell Rusty what's going on between us?"
"Of course I will, Andy. I've just never mentioned you as more than a close friend when talking to Rusty and I absolutely don't want him to find out like this!"
Rusty knocked on the door quietly.
"Rusty, I'm getting dressed – I'll be out in -"
"Take your time, Sharon. Can I use your laptop, please?"
"Sure."
"Thanks!"
"You're welcome."
Sharon brushed her hair carefully as Andy buttoned the cuffs of his shirt.
"Don't you think that leaving your room at the same time might indicate…you know-"
"Yes I do, Andy," she frowned, "But at least we'll be fully dressed and ready for the discussion."
Andy smiled, his arms circling her body and trapping her arms beneath his as he kissed her forehead, sighing deeply.
"I love you,"
Sharon smiled and kissed his nose.
"I love you too," she replied, returning his fond gaze.
"Ready?"
Sharon nodded.
Rusty was sitting on the couch looking at the laptop screen when Sharon appeared.
"Oh come here!" Sharon bent over him, hugging him as he attempted to stand. "How are you? I've missed you!"
"I'm fine and I miss you too. I've been really busy lately – there are even times I fall asleep without undressing." Rusty's eyes widened momentarily before he added, "Oh, Sharon I'm sorry I just dropped in like this – I hadn't planned on coming back so soon."
"Rusty, this is your home and you're never intruding, okay? You're always welcome – surprise visit or not." "Thanks, Sharon. I, uh, just – where's Lieutenant Flynn? I saw his jacket and, well, I don't want to offend you or be intrusive or anything but…did I interrupt something?" Sharon's jaw slackened slightly, her brow furrowing.
"No, Rusty," Andy said as he entered the room. "Well, actually, yeah – but we're always happy to see you."
"Rusty," Sharon said calmly, "Andy and I have spent a lot of time together these last few months. He's been my best friend and we sort of came to realize-"
"You're together, aren't you?" Rusty asked, surprised.
"Yes," Sharon answered after a beat.
"And are you happy?" Rusty asked cheerfully
"Y-yes, I am," Sharon answered, somewhat taken aback by Rusty's directness.
"Wow..."
"Yes, Rusty, wow," Andy said. "Are you alright with that?" he asked as an afterthought.
"Me? I guess I am so long as you are," Rusty smiled "Who else knows?"
"Taylor, Buzz and Provenza but we're – hopefully – going to tell the rest of the team on Monday."
"Oh my G- so when I arrived you two were really...I'm sorry, Sharon, Lieutenant Flynn."
''It's alright Rusty! We were just..."
"Cuddling!" Andy broke in, "we were just cuddling, right?"
"Yes, exactly," Sharon smiled, nodding.
"Uh-huh, sure." Rusty grimaced slightly now "Since when do you have to get dressed after cuddling?" Sharon searched desperately for an adequate answer, horrorstruck by Rusty's bluntness..
"Look, you're not little kids-" Rusty said with genuine amusement.
"Rusty-" Sharon started
"You're not, Sharon! And neither am I. To be frank, I think I can stand the idea of the two of you having sex."
"Rusty!"
"Maybe not the image – and certainly not the sight – but the idea I can handle."
"Rusty, please don't talk that way about Andy and I. Yes, you're right, you're not a child, but you were unaware of the situation and I didn't want to overload you with information or-"
"Find out about you by walking in on you making out?"
"Rusty!"
"Sharon! What?"
"Look, Rusty, Sharon has a point. Before you continue making fun of us old people for having sex, let me get this straight: man to man." Rusty's expression became serious as he nodded, listening to Andy. "Firstly, we weren't making out we were making love – and that is because I love Sharon and we are committed to one another." Andy spoke calmly and sincerely, hugging Sharon from behind and pressing his lips to her temple once he'd finished.
"You see," Rusty grinned "it's not that difficult. I didn't mean to hurt or offend either of you – I'm sorry." "It's alright, Rusty." Andy offered his hand to Rusty and they shook hands as Sharon smiled widely, choking back tears that had resulted from such a touching moment.
"I'm going out for dinner with Daniel," Rusty said, to which Sharon smiled – pleasantly surprised. "So you two can pick up where you left off," Rusty teased as he scooped his bag and car keys from the table, "and I promise I'll be home very late. Just, be sure to shut the bedroom door," he added as he opened the apartment door.
"Have fun!" called out Andy, grinning slightly as he shook his head and tucked his hands into his pockets.
"You too," answered Rusty, meaning it sincerely but saying it with a sarcastic inflection.
"Drive safe," Sharon added, gazing after him with the kind of unconditional love only a mother can show.
Sharon looked at Andy sweetly, a smile lighting her face as he shrugged almost nonchalantly at what had just occurred.
"Come on," Andy said as he grabbed Sharon's hips, guiding her into the kitchen. He sensed very clearly that she was in no mood to continue what they'd been doing previously. "Let's make dinner."
Sharon turned to Andy and looked at him with a cute pout but grateful expression.
"Thank you," she pecked his lips
"For what?" teased Andy, pretending that he didn't understand. Sharon smiled, amused by the teasing she'd become accustomed to.
She outdid him with her reply; however, "We'll have plenty of time later." Andy looked back at her uncertainly, unsure if she meant what he hoped she meant. "Rusty said he'd be home very late," she said softly, pausing to shrug and arch her eyebrows seductively, "let's just remember to lock the bedroom door," she added sultrily, her eyes flashing almost dangerously as her tongue dwelled on the word lock.