Note: Thank you for the reviews and follows. This is a moment a few years after Andy started the program. Still beginning with the letter...

Into Something More

Chapter 3

"Even after you took the opportunity to change your future your name still crossed through our office quite often. Luckily for you, you were actually a 'good' cop and you were exonerated of everything. Others during that time were not as 'good' and we all remember how Rampart fell out. I am even more thankful now that you were not involved in that and the only time we really came into contact was at the baseball field..."

It was a Thursday evening in the early fall. The majority of the summer heat had burned off, but the Los Angeles sun still allowed for temperatures in the city to hang around the mid eighties. Truly, the beginning of the school year, coupled with the second half of the high school baseball season, was an easier marker for the summer to fall season change in California.

Ricky's team had a fighting chance at going to State for the first time in about a decade, so the boys and their fans were really excited for the season as they headed toward the final series. The student body had begun to organize behind the team, so attendance today for their city rival, Cathedral High, was at an all time high. St. Joseph's had the momentum heading into the game, but rivalry games were always unpredictable

Sharon arrived just in time to see Ricky sub in to relieve the starting pitcher to close out the third inning. She had been running late in an attempt to wrap up another exhausting set of paperwork related to the CRASH fallout. The scandal of the late nineties had brought to light America's worst nightmares about her colleagues and her profession. Here five years later her department was still investigating and sorting through the evidence. The whole ordeal did seem to be finally coming to a close, but the damage had been done.

Sharon herself had even been shocked over how widespread the actions had spread, but was thankful for the opportunity to be so hands on in the clean up. The new Chief had risen from her division, so he knew she could be trusted with the task. With that trust came her Lieutenant promotion, and most likely the Captain position was hers if she stayed on task. She had even been given a great deal of leeway in developing new codes of conduct for the LAPD to move forward.

Letting out a sigh she turned her attention to the stands in search of her daughter. Emily was seated near some of the other player's families. Sharon climbed the bleachers attempting to watch the game as she climbed to her seat. Ricky had the batter in a full count and needed to come up big to retire the side. His curve ball made the batter swing, but the player only got a piece of it and he popped it up for an easy third out to end the inning.

While the crowd cheered Sharon overheard a familiar voice shout, "It's okay son! Get 'em next time!" The batter heard the voice too, but his reaction did not signal he was receptive to the advice. Without turning to acknowledge the voice, the kid aggressively removed his helmet and stormed to the dug out to grab his glove. Sharon turned and saw Flynn sitting off to the side on the other opposing set of bleachers. He had his elbows resting on his knees and head resting on his clasped hands intensely observing his son's actions. When he got no response from his son, he shook out his head and ran his hand over his face before clapping his hands together, "Let's play some defense. Three up three down!"

Sharon had not seen Flynn outside of work in a while, but she knew his children were close to the same age as Emily and Ricky. She had heard through the grapevine that he had been working on his sobriety, but that had not stopped his wife from filing for divorce and working very hard to keep her children away from their father. Sharon gave him credit though because instead of turning and running Andy had used the events to fight harder for his sobriety and to prove that he had a right to see his children. Noting the actions of his son and the fact Andy was sitting he alone Sharon could only note the repairs were apparently still ongoing. However, he was there cheering on his son and that was something. Loud applause brought Sharon out of her thoughts and returned her focus to the game. Ricky's friend, Mike had just hit a line drive to right field for the single, bringing Ricky up to bat.

"Woo-woo! You've got this Ricky!" Sharon shouted above the other crowd noise. Ricky turned and gave his mother a quick smile before getting set in the box. The first pitch was a little outside, but close enough to make him think about it. "You got it Ricky! Wait for your pitch," came Sharon's encouragement as she slowly walked backward up the steps to her seat. The second pitch was a fastball and Ricky's swing was just a tad late. Shaking out his nerves he set up again. The pitcher shook off the catcher's signal twice and then wound up and fired another fastball. Ricky was ready and made solid contact to advance Mike to second, but he was thrown out at first.

"Nice hit!" cheered Sharon as she took her seat. She could tell her son was a little upset with the play, but he at least had advanced the runner. The inning went on and St. Joseph's was able to take the lead by bringing Mike home via a stolen base and base hit before the Cathedral High pitcher struck out the seventh hitter to send the game into the fourth inning.

Cathedral High was able to hit an unanswered solo home run at the top of the sixth to tie the game at one. Heading into the seventh inning the tension on both sides was at an all time high as both teams were ready to bring home the victory. Ricky was beginning to show signs of fatigue at the mound, but being a high school squad the team did not have the depth to replace him at this point in the game. Sharon could see he was tired, but the adrenaline surge was helping him to continue to throw a pretty good game. He was just going to need his teammates to help cover and get them out of the inning.

A pop up fly to center an expert throw from the catcher to thwart an attempt to steal second base brought two outs and no one on as the Cathedral High lead off hitter stepped up to the plate. The player was able to get on with a line drive to left field. With one batter on Ricky was beginning to show greater signs of fatigue. His second pitch to the next batter hit the player in the thigh advancing the runners and bringing the coach out for a chat on the mound. Sharon watched, worried about her son, but hoped he would be given the chance to take care of the last batter.

At the mound the catcher handed the ball over to the coach. "Take a breath kid. You can do this Ricky," encouraged the coach, "We have a week long break after this, let's go get this last one and then get the bats going." The coach clapped his hand against Ricky's shoulder, "You think you have one more in you?" Ricky nodded, thankful for the break to get his emotions back under control. The coach ran back to the dugout as Ricky sized up the player at bat.

Shaking off the signal for the curve ball he opted for to throw his changeup, as this batter had not seen it yet. With the pitch the batter swung early and completely missed the ball. The second pitch, a fastball, the batter tipped foul. "Come on Charlie!" was heard over the crowd noise. The batter flinched at the voice and turned to roll his eyes in the direction of his father. The exchange shook the player and he missed the changeup to strike out swinging. Once again throwing his helmet into the dugout the kid turned and glared into the stands.

Andy sunk down a little in his seat; clearly upset he had once again embarrassed his son. Shaking his head he got up and walked down the bleachers to watch the remainder of the game from near the concession stand. As he made his way down the steps he saw his ex-wife move closer to the dugout. Charlie was still noticeably upset, but Sandra was attempting to calm him down enough to get his head back on straight. Andy saw Sandra whisper to their son pointing at the boy and then out to the field. Even though Andy had not been around a lot for the boy, his son had inherited his temper and Sandra was one of the few people with a great deal of experience handling the Flynn tantrums. Andy shook his head, wishing he could have that kind of positive affect on his son, and continued his walk down to steps. Sandra clapped her hands together as she sent her son back into the game and returned to her seat beside Nicole and Dan.

Their father-son relationship just was not there yet, but he still had hope. Even if Charlie did not always want to see him, Andy made a point to be present as often as he could. Sandra had fought hard for custody and surely had hoped Andy would just give up and stop trying, but he had not. Andy made every effort to be at every event for his kids. He did not miss Charlie's games when he could help it and he had also attended every debate competition Nicole had entered. As he was slowly being allowed back into their lives his priority was to never miss an opportunity to repair the damage he had created as a result of his drinking.

Sandra had had every right to take the kids from him for their protection. It had hurt, but it was ultimately what was needed for him to see the errors of his ways and to know what he was fighting for. Luckily, while she was done with Andy she at least knew that the kids should have the opportunity to see their father so she had not stayed gone too long when she left him. She filed for divorce and gained custody of the kids, but gave Andy the opportunity to work back to having a relationship with them. Nicole was more receptive at this point; after all she had at least gone up to sit with her father for a few plays during the game. Charlie was still on the fence as he did not remember Andy before the disease had taken over his life. Charlie only remembered him as the hothead who had caused his mother to cry.

While Sandra knew he needed to be around for the opportunity to repair relationships she still had moments of fear that they would be hurt again. She was afraid to facilitate a relationship that she knew firsthand could easily end in heartbreak. They had already lived that life and she would be damned if she allowed her children to be wounded. Sandra was proud of Andy for the work he had put in, but trust was not something that was as easily repaired. She was pleasantly surprised to see Andy at the game and had offered him a small smile as she sat down with her family, but that was it.

Sharon noticed Flynn stand and move down the bleachers. Her eyes followed him as he stopped by the concession stand to watch the last half of the inning. It was obvious that his son was not super excited for his father to be cheering for him and she felt for Andy in that moment. She knew he was trying, but that could only go so far. Even in ideal situations teenagers were difficult. Sharon let out a sigh as she stood and gestured to Emily that she would be standing over to the side. She walked by the dugout and gave her son a quick thumbs up before walking over to say hello to Andy. Andy had not noticed her earlier, so it was a little bit of a surprise when Sharon walking up to him

"Andy?" she addressed him as she stood next to him facing the field, "I thought that was you." He offered a small smile in acknowledgment as she continued, "Is that your son?"

He rolled his eyes, "Yes, but as you can see he is not too excited about me being here." Andy shuffled his feet, "Or to my existence in general at this point," finishing with a half hearted chuckle to try and lighten the mood, "Baby steps though." Andy shifted his attention back to the game as the player at bat took a walk to get on base. He sighed and turned back to Sharon, "I did not expect to see you here," in an attempt to be cordial he continued, "You all have been pretty busy lately."

Nodding her head, "Yes, trying to get ahold of the situation and convince the public that we are not all crooked cops." Smiling slightly as she continued, "At least some of you have begun to see the utility of position. So, there's one win."

Andy put his hands up chuckling, "Hey, I am just offering you a compliment lady. We get no where if we can't be trusted."

Smiling back at him, "My how the times have changed. I never would have guessed you, of all people, would think my department was doing something right." Eyeing him she continued almost playfully, "Or someone was listening during those seminars."

"Oh I will deny it to my grave if you tell anyone," laughing, "But yeah, at this point you rats are needed."

"Why thank you Detective. I will definitely take that as a compliment."

Both went silent as they turned their attention back to the game. There were two batters on base at first and third with two outs. Mike was stepping up to the plate with Ricky on deck. The crowd cheered loudly as the kid swung at the first pitch sending it foul. However, the second pitch came in just low, and Mike smashed it out to the fence bringing in the player at third for the go ahead run to win the game. Sharon cheered along with the other St Joseph fans as Andy stood watching his son gather his things and shuffle over to his mother. Sharon followed Andy's stare and placed her hand on Andy's shoulder, "Just give him some time. It takes a while for kids to come around, especially teenagers."

Andy shrugged off her touch and stepped to the side. Sharon dropped her hand back to her side and directed her attention back to the field. Ricky was gathering his things as the other players were congratulating each other on a good game. Sharon whistled loudly and her son lifted his head and smiled widely at his mother. Shouldering his bag Ricky headed in her direction.

As Ricky got closer Sharon threw her arms around her son's neck, "Good game bubs! You were amazing!" Ricky smiled as he hugged her back. Letting go of his mother he stepped back and noticed the man standing to the side.

Turning Ricky held out his hand to the man, "Mr. Flynn, good to see you."

Forcing a laugh he reached out and grabbed the boy's hand, "Didn't I tell you to call me Andy?" Ricky returned the smile and cut a quick glance over at his mother. Sharon rolled her eyes in silent approval to go ahead and call the man by his name. Andy noticed the exchange and smiled as he continued, "Hell of a game kid, good job."

"Thank you Andy. Were you- ," before he could finish the sentence Ricky noticed Andy's attention shift to the opposing players walking by. He looked to his mother who barely nodded her head to the side in a silent attempt to prevent her son from continuing his question. Ricky took the hint and looked towards his mother, "Hey mom, can we go get pizza with the guys?" The players from the other team passed by and Andy attempted to bring his attention back to Sharon and Ricky.

Sharon nodded her head, "Sure Ricky, go get your sister and meet me at the car." As Ricky ran off Sharon turned back to Andy, "It will get easier."

"Yeah, what do you know?" he countered a little angrily. He was a little frustrated having her witness the fragile relationship he was attempting to rebuild.

"Well, no need to be snarky, I was just trying to be supportive. Heaven forbid I offer encouragement to a colleague." Stepping back and taking a moment to think of her next move, "I was just trying to be helpful. To be helpful and have a thoughtful conversation."

Andy let out a sigh, "Yeah, well I would like to avoid that conversation." Turning toward her, "Look we are good here. I am good here. I have gotten my career back on track, I am working the program, and I am here for my kids, even if they do not always want to see me. I do not need you to tell me how I am doing."

"Fine." Sharon began to walk away, "I know we are not friends, but for what it is worth, you are doing 'good." See you around Flynn."