Takes place three days after Major Crimes took the case at the end of Chapter five. The team was in the Murder Room wrapping up the case.

"Such a surprise. Mr. Alvarez killing his ex-wife. Who would have guessed?" The team laughed at Provenza's usual mantra about spouses killing their partner. It never gets old.

"Now what made you become so cynical towards marriage, I wonder?" Sharon teased, leaning against Tao's desk. "There are still great marriages out there, right Mike?"

"Oh yes, Captain. Married eighteen years myself, nineteen next month. Can't complain."

"Congratulations Mike," The Captain touched his arm.

"Thank you," Mike replied, beaming.

"Yeah, well there are always exceptions to the rule, Captain. But marriage is simply a death sentence." The room erupted in laughter. At that moment, while everyone was too overcome with laughter, Andrea strolled in. When she spotted Sharon slightly bent over trying to regain control of herself, she began walking over. Flynn was the first to spot her.

"So, DDA Hobbs, let's get a new opinion. Do you think marriage is usually for the better or is destined to turn out like hell?" All eyes were now on Andrea, which made her stop in her tracks. When her gaze fell on Sharon, sympathetic eyes greeted her.

"Well, to be honest, everyone I know who is married seems quite miserable. But then again, my friends in general are quite miserable."

"Aha! There you have it. Someone else other than me knows the truth behind marriage." Provenza had a smug look on his face.

"Well that just means there are two cynical creeps in our midst." Flynn responded.

"Hey! You asked my opinion so I told you. No need to be rude." Andrea crossed her arms, obviously offended being referred to as a creep. Sharon decided maybe she should intervene.

"Uh- DDA Hobbs, do you mind letting us know why you are here? The case is closed, as you know." Sharon was now standing near Andrea.

"I just needed to speak with you a minute, Captain."

"Well, let's go into my office." Sharon allowed Andrea to enter before she did then close the door.

"All your married friends are miserable? Are you calling me miserable, Honey?" Sharon moved to sit behind her desk, smirking in Andrea's direction, successfully making her very uneasy.

"Of course not Sharon. Hell, I sometimes forget you're still married. But you're definitely one exception." She only just realized she was still standing and took a seat in front of Sharon's desk.

"Whatever you say Andrea Hobbs," Sharon retorted. "So, what did you come to tell me?"

"Oh, right. I met with Mr. Robinson's attorneys today."

"And?"

"Lawyers certainly have a thing for you," Andrea deadpanned. Sharon looked at her confused for a moment before reality struck. Andrea had met Sharlene. Sharlene was working on the same case as her. Just. Great.

"Please tell me you're joking," Sharon pleaded.

"Nope. She even invited us to dinner. She thinks the three of us should hang out some time."

"Good God! I can't seem to get a break from her!" Sharon was now on her feet pacing behind her chair. Andrea was a little confused.

"I thought you two were long lost friends?" Was there a hint of sarcasm in her voice? Sharon couldn't quite tell.

"We definitely aren't friends." Sharon felt like the room was closing in on her now.
"So you make a habit of having lunch with your enemies?" Andrea asked, sensing that Sharon was keeping something from her. She continued prying. "The two of you...dated before or something?" She noticed Sharon become rigid for the shortest second then turned to sit back down. Bullseye! That's exactly why Sharon was behaving this way. Why didn't she say anything? After realizing Sharon was not going to answer her, she continued.

"I take it your relationship was serious at some point but didn't end too well? And I would appreciate an answer, Sharon. I think I deserve that much." Andrea was trying to remain calm and collected but she was losing patience really quickly now. She had always been the jealous type and Sharon was definitely not helping.

"We were together for five years." Sharon sighed before continuing. "We...lived together for four of those years. Look, I know I should have said something earlier-"

"I didn't know you lived with someone besides Jackson. Why didn't you tell me? Especially since she is obviously still interested in you?" Andrea's arms were now crossed in front of her. Sharon had no idea what to say. She was obviously the wrong party here.

"I'm so sorry honey. I just- I guess it slipped my mind." Sharon looked defeated. Andrea was angry, but at least she didn't seem too angry.

"Like hell! You never wanted me to find out!" maybe she was pretty angry. Sharon turned to look through her glass walls hoping the guys were not hearing her heated conversation with Andrea. Fortunately, they were too busy engaged in their own conversations. She focused on Provenza's trophy, trying to prevent the newly formed tears from falling. God, she hated being the bad guy, especially since those days were supposed to be over. But she had no idea how to fix this.

"What do you want from me? How can I fix this?" Sharon was slouched in her chair slightly, appeared broken, her eyes glistening as she pleaded with Andrea. Andrea could feel her anger begin to dissipate. She loved Sharon too much to let some piece of trash break up their relationship. She really wanted this to be over but not before she got all her answers.

"So is that what you do? Seduce a girl for a year, ask her to move in with you, and then kick her out when you get bored? Why did you break it off?" Andrea was now desperate for answers. She didn't want to lose Sharon. But she also didn't want to become to committed only to be left broken.
"I-uh-didn't break it off, Andrea. She did. Well, we were having problems but I didn't think it was anything we couldn't fix with a little couple's therapy. Long story short, she cheated on me and told me she didn't love me anymore. And now, she's back, and I really don't care to see her so you have nothing to worry about." There was a brief silence.

"Do you… still have feelings for her? I mean, you weren't the one to end the relationship." Sharon walked over to sit on the chair besides Andrea's. She held her hand tightly between hers.

"Honey, I love you. I am in love with you. Sharlene was a long time ago and yes, once I probably did love her, but presently, my heart is completely yours. It will always be yours for as long as you would have it." Sharon's voice cracked slightly as she poured her soul out to Andrea. She was not letting Sharlene ruin her life again. To her surprise-and relief-Andrea cupped her face with her hands and brought her closer for a kiss. Not just a kiss, but one full of passion and promise and forgiveness. Sharon felt her recent burdens being lifted as Andrea dropped her hands to Sharon's waist and pulled her from her chair. Sharon broke their kiss to fully embrace the love of her life, deeply inhaling the slight floral perfume emanating from her neck. They stayed like that for what seemed like hours until there was a knock on the door. They broke apart, Sharon's hand now resting on Andrea's knee. "Yes?" She said, signaling whomever was at the door to enter. It was Sykes.

"Uh Captain, sorry to interrupt," Sykes could see how slightly puffy and red Sharon's eyes were and the close proximity of the two ladies led her to the conclusion that something was probably wrong. "Is everything alright?"

"Yes, Amy," Sharon sighed, pushing herself off the floor and returning behind her desk. "What can I help you with?"

"The guys were just planning on hitting the police bar for a few drinks, you know, to unwind. Do you wish to come along?"

Sharon glanced at Andrea who seemed a little lost in her own world. Maybe a drink with friends would do them good tonight. "I'll think about it Amy. Thanks for the offer. I really appreciate it."

"No problem Captain, DDA Hobbs," Andrea snapped out of her thoughts at the sound of her name.

"Good night Detective," she managed with a slight smile. The two women watched as Sykes walked away to meet the team already heading towards the exit. As Sharon focused through her glass walls at her team, she wondered how much of the exchange between herself and Andrea they witnessed, but the thought evaded her mind as quickly as it crept in. she didn't care; she was too relieved and grateful that their relationship was still in tact. She was glad for the break. Sharon silently packed her stuff, grabbed her jacket and moved over to where Andrea was, now standing.

"Do you need to return to your office?" Sharon asked as she snaked her free arm around Andrea's waist, gently guiding them through the door.

"No, I packed up before coming here."

"Are you up to socializing tonight? If you are, we could join the guys at the police bar."

"Sure. I could do with a stiff drink right now," Andrea deadpanned. Sharon only chuckled lightly in agreement while she led them out of the murder room to her car.

"Shar?"

"Yes, hon."

"I love you but you really need to let me in completely. I need you to be honest with me, okay?"

"I know. I'll try harder." It was time to put Sharlene behind her for good. Hopefully this time Sharlene would let her.