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

Sharon's appointment had gone off without a hitch, leaving her and Andy seated opposite the doctor as he finished his notes on her examination. Growing impatient, Sharon broke the silence between them.

"You didn't say anything during the examination, doctor. Can I assume, then, that the baby's fine?"

Smiling reassuringly, the doctor replied, "You've nothing to worry about, Mrs. Raydor. Your baby is in excellent health, and developing well." Sharon and Andy breathed a sigh of relief at this. The doctor continued, "However, your blood pressure is quite high, and I can see from your file that you were recently admitted to hospital because of it. Have you been under a lot of stress lately?"

"Well, actually," interjected Andy, "She's had a hard time keeping calm recently."

"I understand that you lead a high-stress job, but you need to make sure that you are not allowing yourself to become stressed. This is a high-risk pregnancy, so every precaution must be taken," he cautioned, turning his attention to Sharon.

"It's becoming more difficult to regulate my emotions recently – I understand that I have to try, but it's not always as easy as it used to be."

"I know, but you'll have to be patient with yourself. Remember: what you feel, the baby does too. If you remain calm, then the baby will be fine."

"I'll work on it," promised Sharon, "I want this baby to be born healthy."

"Excellent. Well, then, other than suggesting a few vitamins and that you get as much rest as possible, there's not much more for me to do here," he smiled.

"How long will I need to be on leave for?" asked Sharon uncomfortably, "my team needs me."

"Do what the doctor suggests, Sharon," murmured Andy chidingly as he took her hand in his.

"You don't necessarily have to leave work – though I'd recommend it once you're around six months pregnant. Even just working less would help to reduce your stress levels."

"Oh, well, I think I can manage that," replied Sharon, relieved.

"Great. In that case, just remember: no stress," smiled the doctor, handing Sharon a list of recommended vitamins. Casually, he added, "Oh, Mr. Flynn? Could I have a word?"

"Of course, uh, Sharon…?"

"It's fine," she smiled, "I'll wait outside."

Leaving Andy and the doctor alone, Sharon stood outside the office.

"Is everything alright, doctor?" asked Andy immediately.

"You mentioned earlier that Sharon has been upset recently. I understand that it might be a sensitive subject, but you need to help her maintain her calm in stressful situations. It's not as much of a concern now, but if she continues as she is, she might be forced towards a premature delivery, and we don't want that."

"I understand, doctor. I'll keep an eye out," assured Andy.

"Good. In that case, I'll see you for the next check-up."

Andy nodded and joined Sharon outside.

"What was that about?" asked Sharon curiously.

"Nothing, really, just wanted to check in."

"There's nothing wrong with me though, right?"

"Nothing at all, darling. Don't worry," he replied, kissing her forehead gently before they made their way to work.

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

An hour later, Sharon sat alone in her office, working through the paperwork that had piled up over the last few days.

Outside, Provenza and Andy decided to catch up.

"What's going on, Flynn?" asked Provenza with some concern for the worry evident on Flynn's features.

"I'm not really sure, Provenza. There's a lot happening and I'm worried about Sharon -"

"What's wrong with her?"

"We had a doctor's appointment today, and the baby's okay, but-"

"But? What's wrong with Sharon, then?"

"The doctor mentioned that severe stress might prematurely induce labour, and Sharon's been under a lot of stress recently."

"She's a tough woman, Andy. She can handle it. But you're right, you should be watching out for her. Have you spoken to her about it?"

"I don't want to worry her with the possibility. She's agreed to work half-days, since she's still refusing to go on leave, but you need to keep the night-time calls to an absolute minimum," instructed Andy firmly.

Provenza nodded understandingly, "I know, Flynn. But at the same time, I can't refuse a direct order from the Captain, and she's pretty damn stubborn about her work. My hands are tied," he replied apologetically.

"I understand, Provenza. Just, try to filter the calls you make, please. I still have to figure out how to pry the work away from her."

"Good luck with that," snorted Provenza softly, "we all know how hard-headed she can be." Provenza laughed lightly and returned to his desk.

In the meantime, Andy warily decided that he should talk to Sharon about reducing her workload. As he entered her office, he noticed that Amy had joined her.

"Andy," she greeted, surprised, "was there something you needed?"

"Yes," he replied hesitantly, "we need to talk."

Noting his apprehension, Amy excused herself and took the folders she needed from Sharon before leaving the office.

"What's going on, Andy?"

Sighing, Andy sat beside Sharon, "I think we need to discuss work."

"What about work?" she responds tautly.

"I know what the doctor recommended, Sharon. I just think-

"What? That I should drop everything?"

"No, but I do think that you should be working shorter hours. We're capable of handling ourselves without you until the baby's born. Not that it won't be difficult, but you need rest."

"I understand where you're coming from, Andy, but I can't just give up. My work is just as important to me."

"I know," he replied uneasily, "But you have to think about our baby."

Sharon sighed, "Okay."

"You're going to work less stressful hours?" he asked hopefully.

"Yes, I am," she replied softly. Andy smiled widely and kissed her softly. "Now that that's sorted, can you do me a favour?"

"Sure."

"Could you call Rusty for me? I don't want him to think I'm worrying, but I want to know how he's doing."

"Of course."

Andy pulled out his phone and called Rusty, who answered on the first ring.

"Andy – I wasn't expecting you to call. Is mom okay?" he asks concernedly.

"Oh, yeah, she's fine. How are you doing?"

"I'm good," replied Rusty somewhat suspiciously.

"Any idea when we might expect you home?" asks Andy innocently.

"I'll be home by the weekend," he responded casually, "so, about two days."

"Sounds good, kid."

"Hey, Andy? Is Sharon with you right now?"

"Yeah, she's right here."

"Can I talk to her? '"

"Of course." Andy handed the phone to Sharon. "He wants to talk to you." Sharon smiled.

"Hi Rusty!" greeted Sharon, pleased to hear her son's voice.

"Hey mom, how are you doing?"

"I'm good, don't worry. How are things?"

"Fine, we're having a good time together."

"I'm glad. When will you be home?"

"In about two days, probably. I told Andy as much, too."

"Alright, I'll let you go," she chuckled, "Be careful."

"You too, mom." They hung up simultaneously.

Sharon leaned back and smiled contentedly.

"Happy now?" teased Andy with a smile.

"Absolutely."

"I want to see you smile all the time." Sharon smiled gently, pressing a soft kiss against his lips.

"You're doing a pretty good job."

Silence fell between them for a beat before Andy asked, "Hey, what time is it?" feigning nonchalance.

"Almost afternoon."

"So it's time for a rest, then," he remarked decisively.

"I'll rest, but only when I'm certain that I'm not currently needed."

Andy took her hand gently, squeezing it reassuringly, "They're always going to need you, honey, but you need to learn to take your own time to rest."

Sharon nodded lightly, "Fine, but that's not going to stop me from checking in with Amy and Tao."

Andy sighed in frustration, hoping to himself that Sharon was already calm and would remain that way for the rest of the day.

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

That evening, Sharon and Andy had dinner together, though Sharon couldn't help looking at Rusty's vacant chair every now and then.

"What's on your mind, Sharon?" asked Andy.

"Nothing, just thinking about Rusty."

"But you spoke to him today – he's fine!" smiled Andy.

"I know, but I miss him."

"I understand," he chuckled, "he is your son, and a great kid."

Sharon grinned in response, "I can't believe how far we've come. In the beginning things were tough, but the moment he called me 'mom', I knew we'd turned a corner. He's my son, and I'm so proud of him."

Andy took her hand gently, content to see her so happy. "You're a great mother, Sharon. And your helping him has opened him up and allowed me to love him as a son, too."

"The only problem I see now is his biological mother," growled Sharon uncomfortably.

"You need to stop thinking about her, Sharon."

"I can't. I've tried, and I'm still trying, but I can't shake the feeling that she's not quite done trying to get Rusty back," replied Sharon, a hint of desperation entering her voice.

"It's okay, Sharon, calm down. She can't take him from you – he's legally an adult, and he has chosen to live with you," assured Andy.

"You're right," smiled Sharon, her mind put at ease, somewhat.

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

As Sharon and Andy lay in bed together, she envied Andy for being able to sleep so easily. She wanted to forget about Sharon Beck, but she knew the danger the woman posed to her son.

Andy felt Sharon shifting restlessly beside him before he'd even fully woken up. Peeling open his eyes, he found Sharon's eyes open and gazing at him.

"Is everything alright, Sharon?" he asked worriedly.

Sharon sighed, "I'm fine, just not tired, I guess."

Andy slipped an arm around her before murmuring, "Try to get some sleep, darling. You need all the rest you can get." Sharon smiled and rubbed her belly as Andy pressed his lips to her forehead. "I wonder if the little one can hear our conversations…" his voice trailed off quietly.

"Well, the baby can certainly hear me – so it's likely that it can hear you, too," she chuckled.

"Yeah?" he asked hopefully, content to think that his child might already know his voice, and that Sharon is calm and happy beside him.

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

The next day, Sharon and Andy were hard at work at their own desks. Amy had joined Sharon to go over some of the case work when Sharon spotted Andrea entering the murder room. Leaving Amy, Sharon approached her friend to greet her.

"Andrea, hi," Sharon smiled slightly.

"Oh, Sharon, how are you doing?"

"I'm fine," replied Sharon, puzzled by Andrea's sympathetic expression.

"I'm so sorry about what happened. I know that Jack was a jerk, but he was still the father of your children."

Sharon was stunned, having been caught off guard completely. "I don't understand, Andrea. What happened to Jack?" she asked fearfully.

"I'm so sorry, Sharon, I thought you knew…"

"Knew what?" insisted Sharon.

"Okay, before I go any further, I need you to promise me that you're going to stay calm."

"Fine, I promise," replied Sharon impatiently, pressing Andrea for information.

"Provenza called me and told me that Jack's body had been found some time ago," Andrea broke the news gently, supporting her friend.

"Jack's…dead?" Andrea nodded slightly, a sympathetic expression crossing her features. "Oh, God-" Sharon felt as though the floor had fallen out from under her feet.

Andy noticed Sharon's tension and rushed to her side, "What's going on here? Sharon, honey, calm down."

"I told Sharon that Jack had been found dead – I thought she knew, I'm so sorry-"

"Jack's dead?" asked Andy, surprised.

"How am I going to tell Emily and Ricky?" moaned Sharon with distress.

"Calm down, Sharon," soothed Andy.

"No, I need to talk to Provenza, now." Sharon pulled away from Andy and rushed to the interview room.

"Sharon, wait!" called Andy, hopelessly, following Sharon to the interview room.

Andrea was shocked by the revelation. She hadn't expected that Sharon wouldn't know.

"Lieutenant Provenza, we need to talk," stated Sharon furiously as she entered the room.

"What's going on, Captain?"

"Is it true that…is Jack really?" she breathed deeply before being able to continue, "was Jack found dead?"

"Yes. His body was found last night," sighed Provenza.

"And you didn't think to tell me because…?"

"Because you're pregnant and we didn't want to worry you any more than you already have been."

Sharon inhaled deeply, trying to rationalise how she felt. True, she'd deeply disliked her ex-husband, but it didn't change the fact that he'd fathered her two eldest children.

"Sharon? I need you to calm down for me, please," Andy took her hand worriedly.

"I just…how am I going to tell the kids?"

"I'll be right there with you, Sharon, don't you worry. We'll tell them together." Andy hugged her tightly.

Sharon was at a loss – how could she even begin to break the news to Emily and Ricky?

~~~ TBC ~~~