Disclaimer: Sadly, none of these characters are mine, but any mistakes are. 4.02 follow up from Andy's POV

Thanks for all the nice reviews!

It had been five minutes since I knocked softly on the condo door, fifteen minutes since the last time I called her phone. I was beginning to panic so I did the only thing I could think of…I dialed Rusty's number.

"Hey Flynn" He answered on the second ring.

"Hey kid. Look, is Sharon at home?"

"Yeah, she's here. I'm in my room let me…"

"Rusty," I interrupted him. "I'm actually at the door. Can you come let me in? I can't get her to answer."

A few seconds later the door opened to a confused looking Rusty. "Flynn, is everything okay? Sharon must be out on the balcony. She does that sometimes."

I step inside and pat Rusty on the shoulder. "Rusty, everything is fine. It's just been a long day and I need to talk with her about something. I called her several times but she didn't answer. So I just stopped by. I hope that's okay with you."

"Oh yeah, it's fine. You know where to find her. I'm working on the Alice case so I will leave you to it. Night, Flynn."

"Night, Rusty." I call as he retreats down the hall to his room.

I walk over to the couch and lay my jacket across the back. I'm still in my work clothes. I caught a meeting after I left PAB and then came straight here. As I glance over to the kitchen bar, I can see her phone lying there next to the tea pot. Walking over, I touch the edge of the pot to find that it is barely warm. I was afraid of that. This means she's been out on the balcony for quite a while now. I look out the glass door expecting to see her in one of the matching club chairs but she's not there. Moving further to the right, I crane my neck to see around the curve of the balcony where I finally find her. She has her back is to me, sitting on the chaise lounge, her knees are pulled tightly to her chest and her head is resting on top.

Sliding the glass door open, I step out trying to be as quiet as possible.

"Rusty?" she calls not moving. "I'm fine. I'll be in in a little while."

"I'm not Rusty." She jumps at the sound of my voice, but still does not turn to face me.

"Andy." Her voice is barely a whisper.

I walk around, my hand caressing her shoulder as I move by and sit down in front of her. "The kid let me in. I hope that is okay. I called several times, but…"

"I didn't bring my phone out. I'm sorry." She lifted her head to finally look at me. Her face was clean of makeup but her eyes were red and puffy.

Reaching out I gently touched her cheek. "Hey."

"I'm glad you're here." Standing, she took my hand and pulled me back on the chaise lounge so that my back was resting against the lounge back. My legs straddled each side as she settled down between them. I gently wrapped my arms around her and pulled her back so that she was reclining fully against my chest. I bent down and gently nuzzled her hair, breathing in the scent that was only Sharon.

"I owe you an apology." I whispered, hugging her even tighter, her hands holding securely to mine.

"Andy, no."

"Shh…let me finish. I was a complete ass about Julio."

"Andy, we've already talked about Julio and you've done exactly what I need you to do since then. I…"

"Sharon, I'm not finished." I gently trace a circle on the top of her hand. "If I had lost my wife and baby like Julio…"

"He finally told you all?" She turned slightly so she could see my eyes.

"Yes, tonight in the murder room. I can't believe he's been going through this all alone for all these years. I mean we all knew his wife had died but…"shaking my head, I can't finish.

She sighed deeply, "This is a really big step for Julio, I'm so happy he finally felt able to talk about it."

"So I guess you read it in his file or something?"

"Or something, I guess you could say. Andy, I've been helping Julio out these last few months and…He's been helping me too."

She turned sideways, propping her legs over mine so that she could look fully at me. "Helping you, I don't understand."

She gently placed her hand in the middle of my chest, "Julio needed someone he could trust to talk things through and go with him to some of his counseling sessions. And I needed…I needed someone I could trust to watch Rusty. I didn't trust the detail Cooper put together to look after him the way I needed him looked after. And Julio needed a distraction to fill up his time, so it worked out well for both of us. Andy, don't …"

I reached out and put my finger over her lips, "I'm not mad, Sharon. I promise. I do wish you had let me help you, but I understand completely. That…really explains some things now," I can't help but chuckle.

"What things?"

"Nothing, never mind."

"What things? Andrew Flynn, answer me."

I knew the moment I saw that Darth Raydor glare, that I had to give it up. "Okay…Look…I saw what I thought was Julio's car parked outside the condo on several different occasions."

"Julio hasn't been here."

"That's not what I'm saying. He was watching the condo. It was late at night, most of…" My voice trailed off as I could see the wheels in her mind turning. I braced myself for what I thought was coming.

"Julio wasn't supposed to watch the condo. Not when I…Wait…If you saw Julio then, you…Andy…Please tell me you haven't been…"

Before I could answer, Sharon pushed herself out of my arms and stood, moving over by the balcony railing. I sat and quietly watched her, not wanting to push her too far. She needed time to process the fact that Julio and I both have been watching not only, Rusty but her as well. I know she is not going to be happy about this new revelation, but hopefully I can make her understand.

"I don't need protection, Andy. I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself and Rusty."

She leaned against the railing, her back to me. "I know that Sharon. This wasn't about your abilities. It was more about my…fear… of you putting yourself between Rusty and Stroh."

She turned to look at me as I made no effort to move from my place on the chaise. "Andy…I…"

Holding my hand up to stop her, "Sharon, I know…Julio knows… hell, the whole squad knows if it comes down to it, you will do whatever it takes to protect Rusty…no matter the cost. And you can be damn sure that Stroh knows this all too well. And I…can't lose you. I won't. "

She turns away from me again, but this time I stand and move behind her, wrapping my arms tightly around her waist, drawing her to me. "You're not going to lose me, Andy. I'm right here and I'm not going anywhere. But we can't let Stroh dictate our lives. I spent five miserable months doing that and I can't do it anymore."

She twisted in my arms to face me, her hands coming tight around my waist as she rested her head on my chest. "I know. I know sweetheart."

We stood like that, holding each other for I don't know how long, when she finally pulled away. "It's late and we both need to sleep. I…really wish I could ask you to stay but…."

I took her hand in mine as we walked back into the condo. "Sharon, I know you are not ready for that yet. And I am not going to push you. We will both know when it is time. Is there anything else you need before I go?"

As we stood in the foyer, she looked at me sheepishly. "Wait right here Andy. I'll be right back." And she hurried off into her bedroom.

Seconds later she came back with something in her hand. "There is something you could do for me, Andy. Maybe a little trade…this shirt for the one you have on."

She held up the LAPD t-shirt she wore home from my house last week. I looked at her puzzled. "But that is my shirt."

She smiled and held it up to her face. "I know, but it doesn't smell like you anymore. I've been sleeping in it all week. I…just need it to smell like you."

Grinning, I began to unbutton my dress shirt. She stepped closer to help me, her fingers slowly undoing the buttons of my shirt. "Sharon." My voice was deeper than I thought it would be. She pushed the suspenders down my arms and tugged the shirt out of my pants, sliding it off my shoulders. Before I could stop her she put it on over her sweater and rolled the sleeves up a few times. "I thought you wanted my undershirt?"

She grinned at me then, her eyes bright and full of mischief. "Oh I do. I want them both." Reaching up, she cupped the side of my face, kissing me gently at first. I lifted her so that she could snake her arms around my neck, deepening the kiss. My tongue brushed along her bottom lip and she moaned passionately into my mouth. I sat her down, knowing we couldn't get carried away with Rusty just down the hall. She stepped back to watch as I tugged the undershirt over my head and handed it to her.

I stood there a moment waiting for her to give me the old LAPD t-shirt. As I slid it over my head, I began to realize that I may have gotten the better end of this deal. The shirt smelled of vanilla, lavender and another scent that I just couldn't put my finger on. I looked up to find her staring at me. "What?"

"I'll make you a deal." She whispered, tugging on the hem of my t-shirt.

"You, Sharon Raydor…making deals…No, you don't say." I smirked.

She rolled her eyes and grinned at me. "Next time we swap shirts, how about you take these two off of me? Say in about five days…I should be ready for a new one by then. I think I will be ready for a lot more by then. Would that work for you, Andrew?"

I moved my hands to her waist and drew her close. "Why, yes ma'am, I believe that would work perfectly for me."

"Good, now kiss me good night and get out of here, before I change my mind and let you stay."

As I rode the elevator down to my car, I pull the t-shirt up over my nose to breathe in the wonderful smell. I think we both might finally sleep better tonight. Not good, but definitely better.