Chapter 73:

Three hours later, Cat fell asleep on the couch while watching TV. She wanted to go to her apartment but Sharon insisted on her staying there and ordering take out with them. After eating, the three of them sat in the living room to watch TV together, and when Cat fell asleep, Sharon and Rusty moved to the kitchen.

Sharon was sitting with a glass of wine in her hand, looking at Rusty who was sitting close, facing her. He was holding a cup of tea between his hands, and examining her face to try and figure out what was going through her mind.

"Rusty," she said quietly, "how are you holding up?"

"Holding up?" he frowned in confusion.

"Yes. You've been through a lot before you came to live with me, and I was just wondering…" she wasn't sure how to continue.

"What?" Rusty asked hesitantly.

"Do you feel like you need someone to talk to? Someone outside of the division or my family," she asked carefully, trying not to agitate him.

Rusty straightened his back, looking stiff all of a sudden. "I'm not going to see a shrink, if that's what you mean," he said firmly.

"Okay," Sharon said gently and nodded. "But if you do need to talk to someone… I'm here."

"When you're not at work," he muttered bitterly and leaned against the backrest again.

"I'll always find the time for you if you need me. All you need to do is ask. And I'm not at work now, so…"

"There's nothing I need to talk about. I never want to talk about what I've been through before coming here. Besides, I don't think you could handle it. You're too sensitive," he smiled at her and she arched her eyebrows.

"Oh, really?" she smiled back.

"Yeah. I can't have you crying here," he said and Sharon snickered just as they heard a knock on the door. "Do you want me to get it?"

"No, it's okay," she patted the back of his hand before getting on her feet and walking to the door. She didn't feel like seeing anyone right now, but she knew who it was. Flynn sent her a text saying he got his son to talk, and she invited him over to talk, although it was only half the reason why she wanted him to come over. Truth was, she needed to be around him, to look at him, to hear him, just be near him, even if she was angry.

He stood on the threshold with a serious face and looked at her as she greeted him coldly.

"How's Cat?" he asked.

"Sleeping," Sharon replied and stepped aside to let him in.

Rusty passed them on the way to his room, greeting Flynn briefly without stopping.

"I see I'm persona non grata here," Flynn said as she closed the door.

"No, he's just avoiding me because I wanted him to talk about his feelings," her voice was still cold and her arms crossed on her chest. She wanted to break this imaginary wall that was now between them but something inside her wouldn't let her do so. Her heart wanted her to take him in her arms, but her brain left her standing there without moving.

"Do you wanna sit in the kitchen?" Flynn asked.

"Uh… no. I don't want Cat to hear us," she said quietly and started walking, leading him to her bedroom.

He sat on her bed and watched her for a few moments, but she didn't sit next to him.

"Why are you mad at me for this?" he asked.

"I'm not," she said coldly.

"Come here, then," he offered her his hand and she looked at it hesitantly for a moment before walking towards him and taking it. She was now standing between his legs, looking down at him.

"Why are you so cold with me if you're not angry?" he asked, looking up.

Sharon sighed slowly. "Andy… give me time," she said, almost begging, and he looked at her with sad eyes. Before she knew it, her hands moved to his shoulders and traveled upward very slowly as they looked in each other's eyes.

"You've completely taken over me," he half-whispered. "I can't be without you anymore. It's just not an option."

Her fingers hovered over his lips as she took a moment to think about her reaction. He looked at her with anticipating eyes, craving to feel her lips on his but not doing anything on his part to make it happen. Sharon bent down a little until her lips rested on his willing mouth and for a moment she didn't move, her eyes shut tight. Flynn waited a few seconds, inhaling her sweet, perfumed smell and feeling her hands creeping to the back of his neck. He parted his lips and started kissing her, unable to restrain himself anymore. The kiss became more intense quickly with his hands moving up and down her back, pulling her body to him as close as possible.

Sharon straddled him, sitting on his lap without breaking off the kiss. It felt to her like their tongues were engaged in a fierce battle as they struggled to feel each other as much as possible. After a while, Sharon stopped the kiss and buried her face in his neck. She felt his arms tightening around her, hugging her close to him.