Christine and Andy

Christine sat in the interview room, elbows perched on the table as she watched Andy jot down some notes on his note pad.

"Okay, Christine, I think that's good for the interview," Andy smiled weakly, setting his pen down. He was so exhausted he could barely keep his eyes open but he knew the day was nowhere near done.

Christine wrapped her arms around herself, shivering. It wasn't until a few moments ago reality had finally set in: she was dating a possible murderer. She had allowed this man to kiss her and hold her hand and now she knew she was going to have to do it again-it was only a matter of time until Andy asked her. "Great…. What next?" she muttered, knowing the inevitable had to be said.

"Well," Andy sighed, pinching the space between his eyebrows. He hated to ask her to do this. He didn't want to put her through it; he didn't want to put Sharon through the insane worry. He wanted to protect her like he couldn't protect his own sister, but he couldn't help what had to be done. Without Christine seeing James again there was just no way they'd be able to make an arrest. "As much as I hate to ask you to do this, I'd like you to see James again. Tonight, if you can."

Christine couldn't help the chill that ran down her spine. She'd tried not to focus on the white board as she came through the murder room just a couple of hours ago, but the dismembered remains of Amelia Michaels caught her eye. How could she not notice the photos? The scene was so graphic she'd felt like she was going to be sick at the time. Recalling the images, she swallowed the bile that was threatening to surface in her throat now. Her mother faced scenes like this every day. She could do it for one night. "Alright, I can do that, but on one condition-my mother is kept far, and I mean FAR, away from this building and from me while it happens, Andy."

Andy nodded. He didn't want Sharon to go through any more strife than she had to, but he knew there was no way in hell Sharon would agree to that, with or without force. "I would love to agree to that Christine, but how the hell do you think I'm going to keep your Mother away from those monitors once we wire you? She's going to want to know every little move you both make."

"You're probably right," Christine muttered, wrapping her cardigan tighter around her waist. Thinking about it gave her a headache. "Conflict of interest? Isn't she legally obligated to stay out of it?"

Andy thought for a moment, trying to come up with some way to keep Sharon at bay. He knew there was just no way he'd be able to, not when one of her children was in danger. The only thing he could possibly use to sway her was that Rusty needed someone to look out for him to. "Alright, look. I'll see if your Mom will settle for watching from the station with Rusty here. Someone needs to look out for the kid and having him around might calm her down some. I think that's as far away as we're going to get her, Christine."

"You're probably right," the young woman sighed, running her slender fingers through her long auburn hair. "Alright, how are we going to do this, then? Walk me through it."

"Well, first we'll get D.D.A. Hobbs in here to work out some kind of deal this after noon. I need you to text James and convince him to see you tonight. We can do it at your Mom's since a few of the force already know the lay out, or if he agrees to his house we can manage there too. Its key that you're alone, though. We don't want to have to bust in to a public place if we don't have to. If you'd rather it happen at his then we need you to figure that out as soon as possible so we can get the plans for his building and formulate some kind of action plan for placing officers. We'll get you attached to a wire before you go in and we will have officers placed where they can get to you in an instant should anything uh… go wrong." His last words hung heavy in the air and Andy shook his head. He hated the whole situation. "We need you to try to get him to say something incriminating about Amelia. Anything at all. Coax it out of him."

Christine nodded her head silently, dazed. She was a lawyer, she dealt with criminals, she'd just never seen this side of it before. It made her that much more impressed with her Mom. "Okay…" she finally muttered, agreeing to the plan. "I uh, I'll text James then so we can get this started."

Andy watched her as she reached for her phone, a new sense of resolve set on her face. She was strong, she could pull this off, she knew it. It didn't keep him from worrying about her and Sharon. He reached his hand out and patted her shoulder affectionately before reaching for the doorknob. "I'm going to go call Hobbs. You can go in your Mom's office if you want to relax."

Sanchez and Sykes

Both Sanchez and Sykes listened intently to the conversation James was having with another man; Tao had tapped every one of James' phone lines and it led to a gold mine of information. Amy rested her head against the back of her seat as the sound of James' voice filled the surveillance van.

"Look, its taken care of okay? They're never going to find anything." James sighed. He sounded angry and impatient.

"And her blood? What did you do with that?" The other man asked, going over the details of what was very obviously the murder of Amelia Michaels.

"I said I took care of it. I'm a surgeon. I'm precise. You think I didn't know what to do with all that? I have biological disposal services at…well, at my disposal." James' laugh resonated through the van, sending a chill up Amy's spine. She couldn't wait until they could arrest this creep. There wasn't an ounce of repentance in his voice for what he'd done to Amelia. He deserved to pay for his crime. Sanchez sighed and rubbed his neck, obviously tense.

"Look, I have to go. Got a face-lift in twenty minutes. No, no, Raydor's kid isn't an issue. I've got her eating out of my hand. Yea. Ok, ok. Bye." Sanchez growled at the sound of his boss' voice. How dare James mention her name, much less Christine's. Amy sighed and stared out the window. "I think we have enough, Julio. Lets get this back to the station."

Sanchez nodded his head and moved to the front seat, waiting for Amy to join him. "God, I hope we don't have to play this for Captain Raydor. I hope she is still at home," he muttered mostly to himself. They'd all grown to appreciate Sharon's presence in the murder room in the last year and Julio had always had a certain respect for her. He couldn't imagine how hard this case had to be for her. Knowing James knew precisely who Christine was wasn't going to make things any easier on her.

Andrea Hobbs.

Andrea sauntered through the murder room and knocked on Sharon's door, expecting to see her sitting at her desk when she entered. Instead, Christine greeted her. Andrea raised an eyebrow as she looked the younger woman up and down. Long red hair, bright, clear eyes, killer cheekbones. Either this was a blast from this past or this had to be Raydor's kid. "Hello," She said quietly, cocking her head to the side, making her blonde hair fall over her shoulder.

"Oh, hello," Christine smiled, standing to shake her hand from behind her Mom's desk. "I'm Christine Raydor. I'm so sorry but Sharon has stepped out for just a little while. She should be back soon."

Andrea took her hand and shook it firmly as a pleasant smile danced on her lips. She'd always found Sharon to be a pretty woman, but her daughter was even better. "Andrea Hobbs. That's not a problem. Lieutenant Flynn briefed me over the phone-I'm sorry for both you and captain Raydor. It can't be easy dealing with this case."

Christine ran a hand through her hair as she sat back down and she motioned for Andrea to sit across from her. "No its not, but I appreciate lieutenant Flynn trying to keep my mother out of it as much as possible. I'm a lawyer, I'm used to speaking with criminals…albeit not in this capacity, but I'll manage I'm sure." Christine grinned at the older woman as she rocked from side to side in the office chair. Andrea was pretty-really pretty, Christine thought to herself as she took note of the woman's features.

'Oh, you're a lawyer? Lieutenant Flynn didn't mention that," Andrea smiled, settling in the chair. "So your mother is a cop and you're a lawyer and you're routinely in the same household? Poor Rusty."

Christine laughed. "Yea, the kid can't catch a break. Nothing wrong with a little discipline though." She smirked at the older woman. It felt nice not to focus on the case for just a moment. It still weighed heavy on her shoulders, but a couple of minutes of light banter proved to be refreshing. She appreciated that Andrea wasn't pushing a discussion of the case.

"Well, I'm sure Rusty is as lucky to have you as he is to have Sharon. I think there are probably few women on this earth who are better than your mother, Christine." The tone in Andrea's voice was serious; Christine was touched. Given her mother's career it wasn't often that someone commended her character, much less outright complimented her.

"That is very kind of you to say, Andrea. I know my mother has appreciated your friendship this past year. She's mentioned you quite a few times." Andrea blushed. She had been rather friendly with Sharon-they'd met for drinks and meals more than once, but she didn't realize she'd had such an impact on the woman. It was nice to hear that she was appreciated.

"Well," Andrea smiled, her cheeks rather pink, "If you are in town for a little while after this case is wrapped up, perhaps the four of us will have to make our way out for a celebratory dinner."

Christine met Andrea's eyes and smiled wide. Now was such an inappropriate time for sparks to fly, but fly they did. "That sounds absolutely lovely, Andrea…" She muttered, fiddling with a pen in the same way her mom often did during conversation. The women watched each other for a moment, both equally nervous as they sat in silence-which was only interrupted when Sharon barged through her office door.

"Oh-hello-both of you." She muttered, setting her purse down on the big green chair in the corner of her office.

Christine quickly stood to greet her mother. She moved to her side and kissed her on the cheek, wrapping an arm around her waist. "Good lunch with Rusty? What'd you do with him?" She asked quietly, wiping her lip-gloss of her Mom's cheek.

Sharon rolled her eyes. She couldn't help but be amazed at her daughter's open show of affection. She found it endearing and a little bit heartbreaking as she thought about the events to follow later in the evening. She smiled weakly at Andrea and wrapped her arm around her daughter's shoulders. Andrea noted their similarities as they stood side by side. "I locked him in the break room with my lap top. Go keep him entertained, will you?"

"Sure thing, momma." She nodded, squeezing her before letting her go. "Andrea, it was an absolute pleasure." Christine smiled at the older woman one last time, then marched herself out of the office.

Sharon moved behind her desk and all but flopped down in her chair, closing her eyes. "Have you been waiting long?" she asked Andrea without moving.

"Not at all, Shar." Andrea said quietly, settling herself back in her own chair. "Hard day, huh?"

"You have no idea." Sharon sighed, outright resting her head on her desk. "I've been here since two o'clock this morning, I have to send my daughter on a date with a murderer in five hours and-oh-remember that indiscretion I told you I was worried about committing? Well, consider it committed."

"No-Sharon!" Andrea shrieked, covering her mouth with her hand. "Here? In the office?!" Andrea could see the red creeping up Sharon's neck as she hid her eyes.

"Maybe, but not quite what you think," Sharon was quick to correct her, "He kissed me…and so I kissed him back." She spoke in hushed tones, with a satisfied smile on her face. She knew her secret was safe with Andrea and it was nice to tell someone.

"Well ha-cha-cha, Sharon Raydor. Color me surprised. Are you two, like, dating? Or what?" Andrea pressed her for the details, leaning in to ensure their conversation stayed as quiet as possible.

"I don't know. Too much to think about right now. We're waiting until this case is a wrap and then we'll try going on a first date…but it looks promising."

Andrea smiled at her friend. She was genuinely happy for her-it was about time Sharon Raydor got some love and attention. "Well you'll have to keep me updated on any developments!" she laughed, leaning back in her chair.

Sharon nodded, "Promise, promise. Seeing as you're my only girlfriend that'll be easy to do."

"Oh, way to make me feel valued, Shar." Andrea teased, rolling her eyes at the older woman. She watched her for a moment, and then sighed. "Now…about tonight. Do you want me to stay here with you and Rusty? I know Provenza will be here with you, but he isn't exactly the comforting type."

"Oh, Andrea. That is so sweet, but I don't want you to give up your evening for me. I'll be alright," Sharon lied, not wanting to inconvenience her friend.

"Sharon, you know, for someone who has to act as a part of her job every day sometimes you are a terrible liar." Andrea chided her. "I don't mind at all. I think you're probably going to need as many supportive people around you as you can get this evening while your daughter is in there with Reynolds, even if its for five minutes."

Sharon sighed and stared at her lap. She wasn't ready to admit how hard this evening was going to be to herself, much less anyone else. "I just... I don't want to think about it yet. What if something goes wrong, Andrea? What if he hurts her?" The desperation in Sharon's eyes was downright heartbreaking. Andrea couldn't begin to imagine how deep her feelings had to run.

"Andy will be right there for Christine, and so will Amy and Julio. You know they will protect her like she's their own, Sharon. She'll be wired and she will have an entire team there to protect her. By midnight tonight this whole nightmare will be behind us and you will be safe at home with your kids."

"God, I hope so." Sharon sighed, hoping beyond hope that Andrea was right and everything would go according to plan. Four short hours to go before she put her daughter in the hands of a known killer. This was going to be the hardest day of Sharon's entire career.