Chapter 57:

"You shouldn't be here," she said, but it was no surprise for him. He was standing now very close to her, gazing into her eyes.

"I miss you," he bent forward to kiss her but she stopped him with her hands on his chest, keeping his body a few inches away from her.

"I know, but… my mother…"

"Yeah," he sighed and took a step backwards. "Well, at least let me help you clean up. You look exhausted," he approached the sink, to Sharon's left, and took a plate in his hand. Sharon was standing right between him and the dishwasher and he pointed at it so she'll move.

"No, Andy, you were a guest here," she reached for the plate but he moved it away, just like Angela did a few minutes ago. "What is it with the guests in my house?" she said, more to herself than to him.

"I'm not just a guest, am I?" he said quietly, somewhat fearing her response. He didn't want her to say otherwise.

"I… I guess not," she frowned, looking down. The status of their relationship was never quite clear to her.

"Move, then," he sneaked a brief kiss on her lips, causing her to look at him again. She took a step to the side and watched him putting the plate neatly in the dishwasher.

Ten minutes later, the kitchen was back to its original state – squeakily clean. Sharon turned off the lights and walked to the couch, which was her temporary bed, and slumped onto it. Flynn followed and sat down next to her. He put his arm around her shoulders, and she leaned her head back on his chest. There was only one lamp on in the living room and the house was almost completely dark. Sharon had to make an effort not to doze off.

"What if we went to my place?" Flynn said suddenly, breaking the silence. "It's Saturday tomorrow."

"I can't just disappear on them," she muttered.

"Leave a note."

Sharon lifted her head and looked him in the eyes. She could tell he was being serious, and the fact that he wanted so much to be with her seemed so endearing. "I can't," she half whispered, and he nodded in disappointment. "But, I can come over tomorrow evening," she added quickly.

"Okay," he gave her a little smile and she leaned her head on his chest again, this time in a way she could see his face.

"Hey, what was that thing about your brother?" he asked suddenly and she froze for a moment.

"What thing?"

"Whatever your mother was trying to say about him. You never even mentioned anything about having a brother."

"I don't like to talk about him," her voice was quiet but firm.

"Oh… alright," he muttered in disappointment. She knew he was curious, but she couldn't bring herself to talk about it with him yet. For a while, they just sat there in silence, each deep in thoughts. At one point, Sharon shut her eyes and felt Flynn breathing, his chest going up and down. The movement of his body was very relaxing for her. A fuzzy feeling took over her as the world dissolved and disappeared. In her dream, she was walking on a beach with Flynn, hand in hand, free of all worries and cares. She never had plans for after her retirement, but he slowly changed that in her. Sometimes she found herself daydreaming about what they could do once they're done with their careers.

(***)

"Did they sleep like that the whole night?" Rusty whispered to Angela. They were standing at the edge of the corridor, looking at Sharon and Flynn, who both fell asleep sitting on the couch.

"Probably," she said and took a step forward. "Alright, wake up!" her voice was loud enough to startle Sharon and Flynn.

Sharon looked around in confusion. It took her a few moments to realize it was morning. Her mother was looking at her with the tiniest smile on the corner of her mouth, and Sharon knew that she liked what she was seeing.

"Are you joining us for breakfast, Lieutenant?" Angela asked coldly.

"No," Sharon spoke before he had the chance to react, "he has to go." Flynn looked at her with a confused frown, but didn't want to contradict her.

"Yeah," he muttered and they both got on their feet.

"Fine. Rusty, come and help me while Sharon sees the Lieutenant off," Angela walked to the kitchen with Rusty behind her, and Sharon looked at Flynn uncomfortably for a moment before heading for the door. He followed her quietly but stopped in front of the door that she held open for him.

"Why are you kicking me out?" he whispered.

"I'm not… well, I am. But I don't want to give my mother another opportunity to embarrass me. It's her favorite sport," she rolled her eyes.

"Okay. But if you don't come by later like you said you would –"

"I will," she cut him off.

"I WILL kidnap you," he threatened her jokingly and she smiled before she looked around to make sure that no one was around.

"See you later," she gave him a quick kiss on the lips and he left the apartment, feeling her gaze on his back until he disappeared from sight.