Chapter 50:

Sharon walked out of the elevator and the first thing she saw was Flynn waiting for her outside her apartment. They looked at each other without saying a word as she approached him, both with their eyes fixed on the other.

"Hey," he said tiredly.

"Hello. What are you doing here?" she asked, and he could hear in her voice that she was just as tired.

"I want to talk… about us," he said hesitantly.

"I don't think there's anything to talk about."

"Sharon, Richard's dead and you took the pictures, so we can –"

"No, we can't," she said firmly and his shoulders slumped forward in disappointment. "We don't know if he told anyone else, or kept more pictures somewhere. It's too soon."

"Yeah, I get it," he said and started walking toward the elevator.

"What do you get?" she asked.

Flynn turned around in midway to look at her. "That it's always going to be too soon for you. But I get it, your career is very important to you," he said and continued to walk.

"Andy, wait," she said and watched him as he stopped by the elevator and pushed the button with his back to her. I love you, she thought without verbalizing the words. The elevator door opened and Flynn stepped inside. He turned around to face the doors and they looked at each other again. Sharon felt his gaze of disappointment like a spear to her heart. She wanted to run over to the elevator, pull him out of it and let him take her in his arms, where she always felt safe, but her legs didn't obey her heart. The elevator doors closed on him and Sharon was left alone in the hallway. She tilted her head down and shut her eyes for a moment before she heard a noise and looked back up.

Cat got out of her apartment and walked toward her mother.

"Hi," she said quietly, trying not to disturb the neighbors.

"Hi, honey," Sharon said in the same quiet tone of her daughter's.

"Where is Grandma staying?"

"In my apartment."

"Where, exactly? On the couch?"

"Uh… No. She's taking my bed."

"So you're gonna sleep on the couch?" Cat asked and it was clear that she didn't like the idea of it.

"Yes."

"Why don't you tell Rusty to sleep on the couch? He's a teenager; they can sleep anywhere, anytime."

"No. Rusty stays in his bed," Sharon said firmly. "It's not his fault my mother dropped in unannounced.

"But –"

"Good night, Cat," Sharon opened the door and entered her dimly lit apartment. She waved to Cat as she closed the door, and then walked to the living room, where Angela was sitting and reading the newspaper. She looked up and folded it once she saw Sharon.

"Finally. I was beginning to worry," she said monotonically. Sharon sat down next to her and leaned her head on the backrest.

"I needed to finish something with the squad," she muttered.

"You shouldn't work so much, or you'll get ill," Angela watched her daughter with a sealed face.

"Who's going to catch the bad guys?" Sharon asked with her eyes shut. She could barely speak from how tired she was, but she finally got to be alone with her mother, and she missed that.

"I'm sure that Lieutenant Provenza can do without you," Angela said calmly.

Sharon opened her eyes and looked at her. "Thanks, Mom," she said sarcastically.

"I'm just worried about you. Why don't you retire? You're eligible by now, aren't you?"

"I'm not going to retire, now that I have a dream job."

"Yes, quite dreamy indeed," Angela muttered. Her voice didn't change, but Sharon knew she was being sarcastic.

"Mother…"

"Your father wanted to see you too, but he had no intention of going to that bastard's funeral," Angela changed the subject. She knew her daughter well enough to know that there was no way of convincing her. "He said he'll visit you soon."

"Good," Sharon muttered. She was too tired to elaborate.

Angela remained quiet for a few moments, and then leaned her head on the backrest, just like Sharon. "He seems like a good man," she said gently.

Sharon frowned in confusion. "Dad?"

"Lieutenant Flynn," Angela continued with her gentle tone.

"What?!" Sharon sat up and looked at her. "Why are you telling me –?"

"A mother always knows. I've noticed the way you look at him. Don't worry, strangers wouldn't notice," she added the last part quickly as Sharon's eyes widened in fear.

"There's nothing going on between us," she muttered sadly.

"But there WAS something, right?" Angela put her hand on Sharon's knee, as to console her.

"Richard found out."

"Oh… of course he did. Bastard."

"He IS a good man," Sharon muttered.

"Richard?" Angela frowned and Sharon chuckled tiredly.

"Andy. Lieutenant Flynn."

Angela nodded slowly. "Do you love him?" she asked, and Sharon looked away. "Never mind, I got my answer." She got up and straightened her black blouse.

"Are you going to sleep?" Sharon asked and got up too.

"Yes. Feel free to come into the room to get what you need. I know it's an inconvenient, but I'll be out of your hair in a few days," Angela walked a few steps toward the bedroom and stopped by the door. "Dear… don't waste your time on shame or fear. I don't want you to retire in a few years and realize you've made a terrible mistake by letting him go. Love is always important, but much more once your career comes to an end," she continued to walk and disappeared behind the bedroom door, leaving Sharon to stare at the spot where she was standing just a second ago.