Author's Note: A huge thank you for reading and reviewing. I hope you enjoy this chapter. A special thank you to Roni for giving her time to Beta for me.

Chapter 4

Use Somebody

The team had finished at a decent hour. Sharon had a budget meeting with Taylor, Andy offered to wait, but she told him she had plans with Abby after work. He watched her pack her things, a sign she wouldn't be returning to her office. He had no choice but to leave.

Andy solemnly walked to his car and was startled as someone honked at him. He continued to cross the street and noticed a car pull up at the curb in front of him. He frowned and slowed his pace, by instinct his hand went to rest on his holstered gun. He approached the car with caution, all worry immediately dissolved as the window rolled down and he saw Abby.

"Need a ride?" She asked, putting her sunglasses on her head.

When Andy reached the vehicle, he put his hands at the top and looked inside. "My car is just a few blocks away."

"LAPD can't afford parking garages?" Abby teased.

"Captains and officers of a higher rank get a spot." He shrugged. "Serves for good exercise," he said softly. Abigail hummed at seeing his smile, he really was handsome. He stepped back onto the sidewalk, "Thank you for the offer though." Abby slipped on her sunglasses, then pushed them back up and pursed her lips.

"How about a milkshake?" She asked quickly.

"Milkshake?" Andy's eyebrows drew in confusion.

Abby tapped her fingers against the gearshift and smiled at him confidently.

"Rusty recommended an ice cream shop for milkshakes just a few blocks away. Will you join me?" She shrugged one shoulder with a sweet smile. Andy was puzzled, he scratched the back of his neck. "You won't let a girl have a milkshake alone, will you?" He looked back at the building, then at Abby and saw the hopefulness in her eyes. Reaching a decision, he nodded, opened the car door and slipped in. She smiled happily. "Thank you, Lieutenant."

"Please, call me Andy." He shifted nervously in the seat.

"Lieutenant has such a nice ring to it, but Andy it is." Abby put her sunglasses back on. He buckled as she pulled away from the curb and onto the street. He looked at her concerned when she chuckled. "I must seem insane, stopping and picking you up that way." He noticed a soft pink flush reach her cheeks.

Andy couldn't help but smile, too. "Well, then we are both a bit insane," he replied.

"How so?" She quickly glanced over at him and her red lips quirked up to half a smile.

"Well, this is how we catch many of our cases - victims trusting a stranger or getting willed into their car." Andy rubbed his pants with the palm of his hand. He didn't know why he was so nervous, but all he could think about was Sharon.

Abby hummed.

"I'm offended." Andy turned to look at her. "Stranger?" One eyebrow curved and her lip twitched into a smile.

He smiled looking forward at the road again and cleared his throat to sound serious, "Other than you being Sharon's sister, I know nothing else." She grinned realizing he was playing along.

"Well, that's easy to fix. I'm not just Sharon's sister." Andy looked over to her to apologize, but she was still smiling. "I am her younger sister by two years, three months, two days, twenty two hours and… five minutes." Andy chuckled, making her smile brighter. "Your turn."

"My turn?" He asked amused as he watched the road in front of them.

"Yes, this goes in both directions." She said lightheartedly.

"Well, I know you're going the wrong way." Abby sat up straight at his words and her smile disappeared.

"Really?" She said sadly. "I'm terrible at directions." She breathed out a long breath, "I'm sorry." She rubbed the steering wheel with her thumb and he realized she had been looking for signs even before she had picked him up. How long had she been driving around?

"Turn up here on your right." She signaled and followed his directions.

Her voice was soft, "I am really sorry. I could get lost in my own house." Her nose scrunched, her thumb continued rubbing the wheel.

Andy noticed her demeanor had changed and tried to ease her worry by sharing something about himself. "I have two brothers and two sisters." He said a little more comfortably. When she smiled again, he felt much better. "And getting lost makes things a little more exciting, doesn't it?" He said playfully.

Abby couldn't contain her smile, "You get lost often?"

"In my stubbornness perhaps." Andy shared with her before telling her to turn left, she followed as she was told. He frowned as he took in his own words. Was that what he was doing with Sharon—being stubborn? She had told him too many times in words and in actions that they would never be more than friends.

Abby noticed his seriousness and frowned.

"I'm sorry, I pry too much," She said as she pulled into a parking space. "Mom says I can make people uncomfortable with all my questions."

"No, it's okay, I got lost in my own thoughts," Andy replied.

"That's Shari's line." He looked over at her as she leaned between them to grab her purse from the back seat. The sweet citrus smell of her perfume caught his attention. She searched through her handbag. "Ever since we were little girls, she would always say Sorry, I got lost in thought. She was a dreamer as a child." She smiled at him sadly, a telltale sign that something had made her sister change. "Ready?" She tilted her head at the ice cream shop.

Andy opened his door and hurried around the car to open hers. Abby smiled up at him surprised, she couldn't remember the last person who did that for her. They walked together to the ice cream shop, she noticed each of his gestures, opening doors and pulling out her chair. Besides his good looks and charming smile, he was a gentleman.

As milkshakes were placed in front of them, Abby quickly took a sip of her drink. Andy watched her as she ran her finger up the glass and sucked the milkshake off the tip. She was a very intriguing and interesting woman. When she looked up, she could see an amused expression on his face.

"You can't let any of it go to waste," she smiled licking her lips. "So Andy, are you going to get in trouble for this?" Abby sipped out of the straw keeping her eyes on his, "Being seen with the boss's sister?"

Andy smiled as he shook his head.

"No, I don't think so." He chuckled as he rubbed the back of his neck and stirred the milkshake with his straw, thinking of his outings with Sharon.

Even in this particular shop.

"Andrew Flynn, this is not a race." Sharon pulled the glass out from under his straw making a trail of milkshake over the counter.

"Sharon Raydor, you are making a mess." Andy chuckled as he wiped the surface. Then looked up to see her drinking her own shake. "I thought it wasn't a race?" He laughed. She snorted when he reached for his glass in her hand, but she moved it away.

He loved it when she snort laughed.

"Alright, alright," Sharon continued to giggle, handing his shake back. "You win, I can't drink that fast." She grabbed a napkin and wiped his chin and then his shirt. "Sorry, it's my fault you got messy this time."

"I get to ask you a question, I don't mind smelling like vanilla." She looked up from his shirt and rolled her eyes. "Your favorite childhood memory?" He asked immediately.

Sharon looked at him softly and sat back, she didn't have to think for too long.

"Walking to the river at our ranch house when we were young to go fishing as a family. Not one day in particular, but just doing that. Abby, my sister, she was always being carried on my Dad's shoulders as Will and I raced ahead. We would run up and down the water in our bare feet. Dad would always scold us for scaring off the fish, but somehow he managed to catch enough for us all to eat beside the river." She smiled and swirled the straw in her milkshake.

"Andy?" He looked up at Abby resting her chin on her hand, looking at him with bright eyes and a grin. "Lost in thought again?" He looked over at the counter where he and Sharon had once sat and smiled back at her. "Please don't tell me I dragged you all this way and you don't like milkshakes."

"Of course I do." He awkwardly took a sip from his shake.

Abby looked down at her drink and shook her head at herself. She hadn't always been this forward, she was shy, shyer than most when it came to men and relationships. She had married at a young age and her husband had loved every part of her both physically and emotionally. She had gained confidence because of him. Even if she could never replace him. Abby knew he would want her to live the life she had left to the fullest. With his death she had learned that holding back didn't work in anyone's favor. There were many things she wished she could have done and said to her husband.

Andy watched her carefully, concerned with her silence. He caught himself admiring her. She was not only a beautiful woman, she was charming and full of spirit. He could tell she had a special love for life.

"I'm going to be a bit forward here and ask you a personal question." He watched her straighten up and adjust her jacket. Her eyes sparkled with a bit of mischief that intrigued him. "Are you happily married?"

He could feel his face go red and cleared his throat.

"Divorced." He answered a bit suspiciously, remembering the way she had run her hand down his tie.

"Hmm," Abby bit her bottom lip trying to hide her smile. "You know I've been trying to get that information out of my sister since I met you in her office and she was completely mute about it." She squinted at him as she played with her straw. He scratched the back of his head. "Did I make you nervous?" She watched his face carefully and saw his confusion. "It's a telltale sign, scratching the back of your neck." She smiled as she touched the back of her own head.

"You wanted to know if I was married?" Andy chuckled nervously.

"Not just married, but happily married." Abby clarified. "If you were, then I wouldn't be able to do much with that." He hadn't been wrong about the moment in the murder room. She had tried to show interest in him, he swallowed nervously. "I promise I'm not stalking you, there's no evil plan. I just got lucky running into you today." His hand rubbed down his tie anxiously. She smiled. "I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable, I just want to be honest."

Andy looked down at his glass, then back at her.

"We're just two friends having a shake, right?" He offered.

Her lips turned up into a bright smile, he could not deny she was a very attractive woman whose confidence made her even more striking. He was flattered that she would even consider him good-looking.

When Abby noticed he was thinking too much again, she leaned forward and put her hand over his.

"How about we agree that we are two friends getting to know each other, while having milkshakes? It gives me a bit more hope than just two friends." She scrunched her nose as she sat back, she wanted him to know her intentions. She would only push as much as he allowed.

"Alright." He responded with a smile and it made her bite her bottom lip before she sipped at her drink again. He shook his head at her, he could see she was used to getting things her own way. "Abigail, what do you do for a living?" He asked curiously.

"I am a publicist," she responded proudly.

"Ah, that explains it." Andy smiled.

"Explains what?" She said with mock hurt.

"Well, publicists generate and manage..." He was startled when she stopped him.

"Lieutenant, are you saying I am trying to manage you!" Abby put her hands on the end of the table and glared him down, but there was playfulness in her eyes. She couldn't help breaking into a smile when he started laughing.

"No, that is not what I meant," Andy said, "You just know what you want." He finished as his laughter settled.

They spent their time talking about their jobs, the struggles that came with them and something they both had in common—Rusty. Abby could see how much he cared for the boy and how he worried for his safety. Her list of Andy's traits kept growing: his cute smile, being handsome, a gentleman and a genuine person. When they were done talking, she drove him back to his car. They both were in better moods and more comfortable with one another. Before Andy could exit the vehicle, Abby stopped him by holding his arm. She confidently asked him for his number which he gave happily and willingly.

Sharon looked at her watch, checking the time. Abby had agreed to meet her at the mall, she walked into the third store, her hands already filled with shopping bags. She wasn't surprised, it was just like her sister to arrive late. She wandered past a display when she spotted her rushing through the entrance of the shop.

"Shari, I am so sorry." She pushed her hair behind her ears and took some bags from her sister's hands to help her. "I got lost." Sharon chuckled at her when she scrunched her nose.

"I told you to use your GPS," she scolded her softly.

"I didn't rent one." Abby looked up from her sister's bags guiltily.

"What?" Sharon breathed out.

She knew Abigail could drive around for hours and it didn't bother her - she was worried that her sister could get lost while Stroh was on the loose. If he had the entire team followed once, he could be doing it again, and now Abby would be under his surveillance, too. She did not want to scare her sister, but she needed her to be careful.

"I like wandering around, you know that." The younger brunette linked her arm with her sibling's and kissed her temple. "A little adventure is good." She shook Sharon's arm. "Us single girls need to have some fun." Abby smirked when the other woman scrunched her nose.

"We will find one for you at the electronic store," Sharon breathed out as they started walking around. "Please."

"I'm going to make that my goal!" Abby exclaimed excitedly.

"Your goal?" Sharon asked. "To find an electronic store?" She asked both amused and confused. She missed her sister dearly, she made everything in life so exhilarating and exciting.

"To help you let go, let you have fun. We will start by buying you one of these." Sharon rolled her eyes as her sister took her arm out of hers and approached the underwear section.

"Abby, no," she sighed.

"Why else did you come in here? It is all they sell" Abigail smiled, looking at her suspiciously. Sharon ducked her head averting her gaze and Abby's smile quickly faded. She always admired the older woman for her strength and the life she had made, despite all that she suffered with Jack. It hurt her to see those moments of doubt flash in her eyes, because she was the most resilient woman she knew. Sharon looked up when Abby touched her shoulder. "Honey, you deserve to treat yourself."

"Abby," she whispered. "I'm not in the mood for this."

"It will be my gift to you." Abigail looked around the displays before she picked a few. Sharon knew there was no point in trying to stop her and took the garments her sister handed her. She had come in here with one person in mind, but scolded herself and was on her way out when Abby walked in. He would never get to see it and it broke her heart just thinking about him. But she smiled for her sister, did as she was asked and tried on some of the outfits, choosing the ones she liked best.

As they left the shop, Sharon looked over at Abby.

"You're awfully quiet." The older brunette bumped their shoulders. "Thank you for the gift," Sharon said with a soft smile which Abby returned.

"You deserve it." She said gently before gazing at the window displays as they walked past them.

Sharon began to worry, "Honey, you are never quiet, what's on your mind?"

Abby bit her bottom lip and spoke carefully, "I talked to your Lieutenant." A bright smile lit her face.

"Andy?" Sharon swallowed, looking down.

"I was going in loops trying to find the ice cream parlor Rusty recommended. I saw him crossing the street and I invited him to have a shake with me." Sharon looked at the store windows trying to keep her breathing normal. Andy had gone out with her sister. "It won't cause you any problems, will it? Me going out with him?" Sharon turned back to sibling, doing her best not to show the awful feeling she was having.

"You are going out again?" she tried to keep her voice casual, but could feel her hands getting clammy. Her heart was beating quickly and she felt sick to her stomach.

"Oh, we didn't plan anything. But I don't think he's opposed to it. I just thought it was best to ask since you are the Captain, his boss, my sister. I needed to talk to you first." Sharon knew one word would be enough for Abby to stop going after Andy. She wouldn't even ask for an explanation. "It will affect you at work, won't it?" Sharon glanced and saw her sister's disappointment and she felt a different kind of awful for hurting her.

She forced a smile and shook her head.

"No, it won't," Sharon said composing her emotions. "It won't affect my job." She smiled at Abby.

Just picturing Andy and her sister having milkshakes made her stomach turn into knots, she wasn't sure what seeing them out together on a real date would do. But if both Abby and Andy wanted to spend time together, she wouldn't be the one to stop them.

Sharon looked down at the bags in her hands and felt extremely empty. She fisted the handles of her bags into her hands and pressed her nails into her palms trying to control the tears she could feel forming.

Never was harder than she thought.