A/N: This is the seventh chapter! Special thanks to my amazing beta CMemlovr for beta reading! I hope you like it!

Andy hadn't been able to reassure Sharon by the time her children had arrived at the hospital. They found Rusty seated in the waiting room, and approached him anxiously.

"Rusty, where's mom? What happened?" asked Emily worriedly.

"It's alright, Emily, mom's fine."

"Was it serious?" asked Ricky.

"The doctor said it was stress. Her work's pretty tough and now that she's pregnant it has more of an effect on her."

Emily and Ricky calmed down at the explanation, but were still anxious to see their mother for themselves.

"Can we see her?" asked Emily.

"In a bit. Andy's still in there with her, we should give them some time."

"You're right. Does Nicole know?" asked Ricky.

"Oh, shoot, I forgot to call her!" exclaimed Rusty, slipping his phone from his pocket to call Nicole immediately.

Meanwhile, Sharon was still in a state of panic, sobbing in Andy's arms.

"Alright Sharon, I need you to calm down, okay? I can bring the kids in here if you'd like me to, but you have to be calm," murmured Andy gently, attempting to soothe her.

"I'm sorry Andy, I've been having some trouble controlling my emotions lately," she replied wetly. Andy reached to cup her cheek, smoothing away the tears that lingered.

"I know, darling, but you have to try for your sake and the baby's."

Sharon took his hand for reassurance, "I promise, I'm going to try to keep everything in check. I don't want Rusty to find out that I was stressed because of Sharon – he'd feel guilty, and that's the last thing I want."

Andy nodded in understanding, "I won't say a word, I promise."

A sharp knock interrupted their conversation, causing both to look up.

"Mom?" Emily regarded her mom closely as she and her brothers entered the room.

"You came?"

"Wasn't a chance we wouldn't. Can we come in?"

"Of course you can," smiled Sharon.

"Mom, are you okay?" asked Ricky.

"I'm fine, don't worry."

"We were so worried about you, mom," said Emily as she took her mother's hand.

"You don't have to worry, honey. I just got a bit dizzy, which caused me to faint, but I'm fine now." Sharon spoke confidently, successfully hiding her anxiety from everyone except Andy, who stood beside Rusty.

"I got so scared when I saw you on the floor," mumbled Rusty, reaching forwards to hug his mother tightly.

"Honestly, I'm fine," replied Sharon, smiling wetly as her eyes welled with tears.

"Sharon?" Nicole entered the room worriedly, "Are you okay?"

"Everything's fine, Nicole. I'm glad you came."

"When Rusty told me that were in hospital I got so worried. I'm glad that you're fine now," she replied, relieved. Turning to Andy, she asked, "how are you doing, dad?"

"Now that everything's alright, I'm fine."

"I'm glad. The baby's fine, too?"

"We're both alright, don't worry," said Sharon.

"We're going to let you rest, but call us if you need anything, mom," interjected Emily, leaning over to kiss to her mother on the forehead.

"Don't worry guys – get back to your lives," chuckled Sharon.

"We're only going because we know that you're in safe hands. Please be more careful, mom," added Ricky as he and Emily left.

A short while later, Ricky and Nicole decided to grab a cup of coffee, leaving Sharon to sit thoughtfully with Andy beside her.

Regarding her closely, he asked, "Are you okay, Sharon?"

Inhaling deeply she replied, "I'm fine, I just really hate hospitals. How long did the doctor say they're keeping me for?"

"The doctor said that they'll have to keep you overnight."

"Ugh, fine," frowned Sharon.

"Are you still thinking about Rusty?"

"How can I not, Andy? Sharon Beck left Rusty on the streets and now she's trying to get him back? Over my dead body."

"Relax, Sharon, we'll sort this out. I've told the team what happened, and they wanted to come but I told them not to crowd you right now."

Sharon nodded before smiling sadly, "Could you do me a favour, Andy?"

"Anything, darling."

"Could you call Andrea for me, please? I need her right now."

Andy smiled, "Of course. I should have thought – she is your best friend, after all."

Stepping out to place the call, Andy decided to wait for Andrea in the waiting room.

********...********

"Andy – how is she?" Andrea walked briskly towards Andy.

"Physically she's fine. Emotionally, she's not in a great place right now."

"What's going on?"

"She received a message this morning from Sharon Beck," replied Andy heavily, "she threatened to take Rusty back by any means necessary."

"What?! After everything…?" Shock registered on Andrea's features at the thought of Rusty being taken from Sharon.

"She wants him back. The message caused Sharon's blood pressure to rise, which resulted in her fainting. She hasn't stopped crying since morning, and I'm not really sure what more I can do – you're the only person she's asked for all day," said Andy softly.

Placing her hand reassuringly on his shoulder, Andrea nodded, "I can take it from here, don't worry."

Sharon looked up from her hands in time to see Andrea slipping in to her room.

"Andrea ," she breathed.

"How are you doing?" she asked, sitting beside Sharon.

"Better, I just needed to talk to you. It's about Sharon Beck-"

"Andy mentioned something earlier. What's going on?"

"I'm so worried about Rusty, Andrea. The woman is trouble, and I'm scared that she might hurt me, or worse, hurt Rusty."

"She can't do anything to you, Sharon. Don't worry."

"I just can't get that message out of my head. I wanted to make sure…she can't take him, can she?" asked Sharon worriedly.

"Legally, no, you're his parent and she has no rights where he is concerned. I also don't think that he's going to leave you any time soon, so you have nothing to worry about. Forget the message, Sharon, and concentrate on keeping that baby safe," replied Andrea, hugging her friend comfortingly.

"Thanks, Andrea."

"Any time," she smiled, "but it's as I said – you need to relax; if not for yourself, then for the baby."

Biting her lip, Sharon replied, "I know, I just can't seem to stop worrying. I don't want to hurt the baby, but I can't help but worry about Rusty," mumbled Sharon.

******** ... ********

Andy was sat pensively in the waiting room when Nicole and Rusty eventually returned.

"Why are you out here, dad?" asked Nicole.

"Sharon's talking to Andrea right now, so I gave them some space."

"Would you like some coffee while you wait?" offered Rusty.

Smiling, Andy accepted the proffered cup, "Thanks Rusty."

Moments later, Andrea exited Sharon's room.

"How did it go?" asked Andy.

"She's better now – calmer."

"Thanks, Andrea. Are you headed out?"

"Yeah, unfortunately I'm due in court."

"Do you need a lift?"

"I'm fine – I drove here. Take care of Sharon, and I'll see you later."

Nodding, Andy thanked her again before letting her leave.

"Dad? I need to go too, and Rusty said he wouldn't mind me dropping him home, if that's okay with you," said Nicole.

"I'll stay with Sharon – thanks for taking Rusty, Nicole."

"If anything comes up, Andy, please call me," added Rusty.

Andy nodded and waved them off before joining Sharon in her room again. He could tell that she'd finally managed to fall asleep, and was thankful that she had. Sitting beside her, he took her hand in his, surprised when she opened her eyes and smiled up at him.

"Did I wake you?" he asked.

"No, but I could feel you there."

Andy kissed her lips gently before asking, "How'd it go with Andrea?"

"Good. She helped me relax," smiled Sharon.

"I'm glad," replied Andy, "Do you want some water? You haven't had anything to drink for a while."

"Sure," said Sharon softly, "Thanks."

Handing the glass to her, Andy continued, "I think you should stay off work until you've recovered fully, Sharon."

"Andy-"

"No, Sharon. We can do the work without you until you're well enough."

Sharon nodded in assent, still displeased but unable to argue.

"Good. Then, if you don't mind, I might take a nap here, too. I'm exhausted," smiled Andy tiredly, leaning down to embrace her.

"I love you."

"I love you, too."

********...********

Driving home, Rusty decided to confide his suspicions in Nicole.

"I think they're hiding something from us," explained Rusty worriedly.

"I think so, too. They've both been a bit more on-edge, and the whole thing with Andrea and Sharon…I don't know."

"I hope it's nothing serious," replied Rusty worriedly.

"I don't know how bad it is, but whatever it is, we'll find out soon enough," reasoned Nicole.

"I hope you're right."

She and Rusty discussed what it might be, but were confident that they'd find out sooner or later.

******** ... ********

Leaning down to press a kiss to Sharon's forehead, Andy was thankful that Sharon had finally calmed down enough to fall asleep. He was grateful that Andrea had been able to help her relax.

The next morning, Sharon was greeted with the sight of her whole team in her room.

"Captain," smiled Amy.

"I don't believe it! What are you all doing here?" greeted Sharon.

"How are you feeling?" asked Amy.

"I'm fine," replied Sharon, smiling.

"We're glad that you're doing better," added Buzz.

"You're quiet, Provenza," observed Andy jokingly.

"Shut up, Flynn," replied Provenza snarkily before turning to Sharon, "Captain, we hope that you'll be back at work soon."

"Don't worry, Lieutenant, I will be."

"We're glad you're feeling better, Captain," interjected Julio.

"Thanks, Julio."

"C'mon guys, we should leave the captain to rest," instructed Amy, ushering the others to the doorway.

"I'm okay with your being here," protested Sharon.

"No, Captain, Amy's right, you need the rest. We'll see you soon," promised Provenza.

"Thank you, Lieutenant."

"I'll see you out," offered Andy, ushering the team out of Sharon's room.

After they'd left, Andy returned and took a seat beside Sharon, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"I've got some good news for you," he grinned.

"What is it?" smiled Sharon.

"I spoke to the doctor, and he's letting me take you home early."

Sharon was thrilled – she'd always hated hospitals.

"That's great, Andy!" she replied contentedly, hugging Andy.

Sharon's happiness was infectious; Andy couldn't help his own smile at the sight of her joy at being able to leave the hospital.

********...********

A day later, Sharon was settled back at home with Andy. The transition had been tough, but Andy took good care of her. She spent her time at home trying as much as possible to avoid thinking about Sharon Beck.

Andy, however, felt it necessary to broach the topic once more.

"Sharon?" he hedged, "I hate to ask-"

"You want to know if I'm still worried about Sharon Beck being able to take Rusty," stated Sharon, "I'm not worried anymore, don't worry."

"It's not that," replied Andy, "I think we should tell Rusty about the message. It seems like he suspects already, it might be good to-"

Sharon placed her tea on the table carefully, "Does he already know?"

"I don't think so – I think he's just concerned."

"Then he doesn't have to know the truth. I don't want him blaming himself for what happened to me," replied Sharon resolutely, her fingers fidgeting with the teacup.

"What truth?" asked Rusty, who had overheard the latter half of their conversation.

Turning to one another, Sharon and Andy were uncertain how they would even begin to explain.

~~~ TBC ~~~