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

Sharon tried to comprehend how Jack could actually be dead.

"I don't understand, Provenza. He was here just yesterday and now you're telling me he's dead?" asked Sharon, numbed by her shock.

"I know it's sudden, Captain. We're still investigating at the moment."

"I'd like you to keep me informed, then," instructed Sharon before rushing out of the interview room. She needed the privacy of her office right now. Calling Emily and Ricky, she refused to tell them over the phone, calling instead as a reassurance to herself that they, at least, were well.

Spotting her in her office, Andy went in to comfort Sharon.

"There you are, Sharon." She remained silent, so Andy continued, "I called Nicole to let her know about your loss."

"We need to find a way to tell Emily and Ricky," sighed Sharon, finally, "though I still can't really believe it myself."

"I know it's a difficult situation, Sharon, but I'm sure they'll be able to handle it."

Sharon nodded in agreement, "I called them, they should be able to make it here by tonight."

"That's good. Is there anything I can do for you?"

"No – just, thank you for your support," she smiled wetly.

"I'll always be here for you."

"Thanks, Andy," she paused to collect her thoughts before continuing, "I've asked Provenza to update me – could you check in with him and see if there's anything new?"

"Of course, Sharon. I'll be back soon," he promised.

Nodding her thanks, Sharon sank back into her chair, pulling her glasses off with shaking hands. She could feel the day's tension like a knot in her neck, pulsating every time she thought of her children and how they'd react to the loss of their father.

Back in the interview room, Andy made good on his promise to Sharon.

"Hey, Provenza, what have you found out about Jack's case so far?"

"To be honest, not much," replied Provenza, "though we've got a pretty strong lead right now."

"A lead?" pressed Andy, desperate to have something to report back to Sharon.

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

Sharon's tension had escalated to nervous pacing by the time Andy had re-entered the murder room. She needed to know the particulars of Jack's death and was grimly satisfied by the prospect of being able to chase up the information she required from Andy.

"What've you got for me, Andy?" she asked authoritatively.

"Provenza and Sykes mentioned a lead for the night of the murder."

"So we're certain that he was murdered?"

"They've confirmed that now, yes," sighed Andy, looking at Sharon sympathetically.

"Any leads as to who might have killed him?" Sharon tries to school her features into a neutral expression.

"It's…complicated. Would you mind having this conversation in your office?"

"Why?"

"It's a sensitive issue. Please?"

Nodding her assent, Sharon led the way to her office.

"Alright, speak," she instructed tersely.

"Jack's murderer appears to have been someone he knew…intimately."

"Andy, please stop talking in riddles and get to the point."

"I'm sorry, Sharon, I just don't know where to start."

"Who's the woman you mentioned?" she questioned, frustrated.

"I need to ask you a few questions first, if that's okay."

"Fine," she huffed, "what do you need to know?"

"Before you, had Jack been married to another woman?"

Sharon considered the question, "Possibly."

"I know it was a long time ago, Sharon, but are you sure you don't remember anything?"

"There was another woman before me, though I don't know that they were married. I think her name was…Allison?"

"I guess it all makes more sense now," mumbled Andy.

"What makes more sense?" asked Sharon sharply.

Concerned about how Sharon might react, Andy hedged his response, "It – uh – it looks like Jack was married before he'd married you. Evidence suggests that it was his first ex-wife who, y'know…" he trails off somewhat apologetically, scrutinising Sharon's expression closely, looking for signs of distress.

"Why would Allison kill him after more than twenty-five years of divorce?" questions Sharon disbelievingly.

"We're not sure yet, but we're looking at her as our best lead for now."

To say Sharon was confused would have been an understatement. This whole day had made no sense.

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

That evening, Sharon was sat in her living room, attempting to relax after her hellish day. Sitting beside her, Andy took her hand comfortingly.

"I know you're worried about this evening, but I'm sure you'll be able to handle this. And I'll be right here with you, in case you need me."

Sighing heavily, Sharon replied, "I just don't know how the kids are going to react. Jack wasn't always there for them, but they still loved him."

"Maybe that'll make it easier to handle the news?" suggested Andy quietly.

Inclining her head to relieve the tension in her neck, Sharon nodded minutely.

A sudden knock jolted Sharon from her thoughts, and before she'd had the time to stand, Andy had already made his way to the door.

"I'll get it," called Andy.

Opening the door, he found Emily and Ricky standing anxiously before him.

"C'mon in," he greeted affectionately, his tone muted.

"How are you, Andy?" asked Emily politely, her nerves not having overridden the manners her mother had taught her.

"I'm fine, as is your mom," smiled Andy kindly as Sharon approached them.

Both left Andy instantly to hug their mother, concern apparent in their features.

"How are you doing, mom?" pressed Emily, noting the slight anxiety in her mother's eyes.

"I'm fine, honey," replied Sharon quietly.

"You scared us, mom. Is everything okay with you and the baby?" questioned Ricky concernedly.

"The baby and I are just fine," replied Sharon, her throat clenching slightly, "I needed to talk to you about something else."

Emily and Ricky exchanged a look of surprise before following their mother and Andy into the sitting room.

At a loss, Sharon allowed silence to fall between them.

"Something to drink?" asked Andy, hoping to nudge Sharon into conversation.

"I think you'd better stay," suggested Emily evenly, noting her mother's distress at the thought of Andy's leaving, even if only briefly.

"Emily, Ricky - we've had some bad news today, and-" Sharon stopped, needing to clear her throat once more.

"What's going on?" questioned Emily, taking her mother's hand in hers.

Breathing in to calm herself, Sharon continued, "I learned this morning that your father was found dead sometime yesterday evening."

"Dad's dead?" Ricky was dumbfounded.

Nodding in confirmation, Sharon remained silent.

"How'd he die?" asked Emily, not entirely certain the she wanted to know the answer.

"He was murdered," sighed Sharon, "the case is still open."

Emily reached across and hugged her mother consolingly. "Don't worry, mom. It's…a shock, but not, well-"

"It's okay to mourn him, Emily. He wasn't a great guy, but he was still your father," insisted Sharon, not wanting her kids to feel that they had to suppress their emotions around her.

"Don't get me wrong, mom. It's sad that he's dead, but he wasn't really there for us."

"I'm with Emily on this one," added Ricky, "did I want him to die? No. Am I heartbroken? Not really."

"I'm glad that you're taking this so well," admitted Sharon, "still, it's best not to speak ill of the dead."

"How about we change the subject?" suggested Emily, hoping to distract her mother.

"Sure," agreed Sharon.

"You had a doctor's appointment recently, right? How's the baby?"

"Growing well," smiled Sharon.

"I'm super curious about whether I'm having a brother or a sister," interrupted Ricky.

"You and me both," muttered Andy under his breath. Then, directing his attention to Ricky, he interjected, "Your mom would prefer it be a surprise."

"But how are you going to choose a name?" asked Emily.

"How do you know we haven't already chosen one?" teased Sharon lightly.

"How can you choose a name without knowing the sex?" interjected Ricky disbelievingly.

"We've chosen a name for a girl and one for a boy so that we'll be prepared no matter what."

"Which names have you chosen?" asked Emily curiously.

"We liked the name Daniel for a boy, and Kate for a girl," smiled Sharon.

"They sound lovely, mom," said Emily, her expression softening.

"Have you told Nicole and Rusty that you've chosen those names?" asked Ricky.

"We were planning on telling Rusty this weekend, and we haven't mentioned it to Nicole yet."

"Might be nice to share it with them," smiled Ricky, "I'm sure they'll be pleased to know the potential names for their younger sibling."

Conversation flowed easily for a while, until Emily and Ricky realised that they needed to head back home. Sharon was surprised by the entirely different direction the evening had taken from what she'd expected.

"Sorry mom, but we've got to leave now if we're going to make it," apologised Emily.

"We'd be happy to have you here for longer," replied Sharon.

"I know, and we're really sorry, but we need to get back. I've got work," added Ricky.

"I understand," Sharon smiled sadly, "just promise that when you get tired of working away from me, you'll come back here. I miss you."

"Sure, mom," chuckled Emily, "take care of yourself – and the baby."

The pair of them hugged their mother before departing, leaving Andy and Sharon alone again.

"That went well," commented Andy as he took a seat beside her.

Sharon smiled with relief, "Yes, it did. Now we just have to focus on finding Allison to confirm our theory."

"Don't worry, Sharon. You've got the entire department out there looking for her."

Not a second after he'd finished speaking; Andy's phone began to ring.

"Hello?"

"Flynn, it's Provenza. We've got Allison in interview one, if you and the Captain are up for coming in tonight."

"I'll check with Sharon – I'm not sure, you know, in her condition-"

"If they have Allison, I'm going in," interrupted Sharon coldly.

"In that case, we're on our way," Andy informed Provenza before hanging up.

"You sure about this?"

"Yes. I'll be fine – you'll be with me."

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

Weary after a long period of questioning, Sharon and Andy emerged from the interview room.

"I can't believe that she did it," mumbled Sharon numbly, "and for such a stupid reason."

"Sykes mentioned that she'd been committed – maybe she had a psychotic break?"

"Possibly. But, enough for now – I don't want to think about Jack," she frowned tiredly.

"Then let's head home," suggested Andy, "you look beat, and so am I."

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

The weekend had finally arrived, and with it some sunshine. Opening her eyes, Sharon smiled in anticipation – Rusty would be home that day.

"Andy?" she called softly.

He entered the room and sat beside her on the bed, kissing her forehead softly, "yes, darling?"

"Have you seen Rusty yet?"

"Not yet, though I'm sure he'll be home soon," he reassured her.

The front door slammed as Andy finished his sentence, causing Sharon to dash out of bed to greet him.

"Careful, Sharon!" cautioned Andy, shaking his head good-naturedly.

"Mom, Andy, I'm home!" called Rusty.

"Rusty!" greeted Sharon, grinning.

"I missed you, mom."

"Me too, honey. How was it with your friends?"

"It was good," he smiled, "how are you and the baby?"

"We're good, too."

"Everything alright, Andy?" greeted Rusty.

"Great, kid. You ready for breakfast?" he asked, smiling.

"Definitely, I'm starving," laughed Rusty, eager to spend time with his mom.

Sharon kissed him lightly on the cheek before pushing him jokingly towards the kitchen. She wanted to talk to her son.

~~~ TBC ~~~