Chapter 4
By the time Andy was ready to make his way across the street to Major Crimes a lot more officers were on the scene taking Ortiz to county to hold him until he could be process.
He made his way under the police tape flashing his badge walking at a steady pace to find out there Sharon, and the team were. There is no way they could still be in the building. He heard his name as he round the corner to see Sharon walking towards him not looking happy. With a guilty look on his face his just shrugged his shoulders while looking her up, and down for any visible injuries.
"We will talk later", as she hugged him not caring they were in front of the whole LAPD.
"Ok".
Hearing the emotions in his voice she tighten her arms around his neck whispering, "I love you so much, and you drive me so crazy". The only thing he could do was laugh out loud to ease the tension surrounding them.
The fire department had to assess the building before they were allowed back. The team give their statement to chief Howard, and Andrea before they were told to go home because at this very moment the building was on lock down.
Andy, and the team made their way to the car park all dirty, tire, hungry, and emotionally drained. After the day they had no one was in a talkative mood. Sharon let them know it would probably take a day, or two for the fire department to assess the situation. She would let them know when they could report back. She surprise them all by hugging them which said a lot. They said goodbye to each other before getting in their vehicles to go home.
They rode to the condo in silence holding hands, and each thinking how badly the day could have ended. Sharon was happy Andrea would make sure Rusty was fully occupied so she, and Andy could have some time alone before he could hover making sure they both were ok. She smiled because she knew that Rusty loves Andy, but not very demonstrative with it.
He came around her side as soon as he parked the car reaching out his hand so she can take. They slowly walked to the elevator in silence afraid to voice the trauma they escaped mere hours ago. When you survived two bombs going off in a matter of days it shakes you to your core whether you believe in a God, or not your spirituality is tested on all levels.
"I'm sorry for getting you dirty", she said as she hugged him more closely to her as they made their way down the hall of the eleventh floor.
"I don't care one bit about that. I am just very thankful you, and the team survived two bomb blast in a couple of days", as he opened the door for her to go in first.
They both made a bee line to the bathroom quickly taking off their clothes, and jumping straight into the shower. As the hot water slowly eased their tired, and achy muscles, Andy shampooed, and conditioned Sharon's hair.
"Oh, this feels so good because my arms are sore from having to dig, and crawl from all that debris", said Sharon titling her head back so Andy could rinsed out the conditioner.
As they both dried their bodies, Andy turned Sharon around grabbing her comb to detangle her hair, and then blow dried it as she did not like to sleep in wet hair. It also made it easier for any roll outs in the early morning hours.
After getting dress they sat on the cough drinking tea because none of them really wanted something to eat at the moment.
Turning slightly he just stared at her as she put her tea down on the coaster on the coffee table.
"What?" asked Sharon looking at Andy.
"You did say we would talk about it when we got home. So now we are all cleaned up you can shout at me now".
"Giggling she rolled her eyes at him".
"Andy my only issue with what you did was my concern for your health? What if you had another heart attack, and I was not there?" she said.
That seemed to open the flood gates because Sharon started to cry. Her shoulders started to shake, and the noise had Andy pulling her on his lap. She was overcome with emotions that showed him the toll this case took on her, and his walk across the street did not help.
After a few minutes Sharon lifted her head, and rest it against Andy's forehead letting him know she would be fine all the while staring into his eyes.
"You know I am sorry for making you worry. But if I did not do what I did, I would be planning your funeral instead of holding you close to me right now. I will not apologize because our line of work is very dangerous. With all my health issues, I am no longer tip toeing around things to keep you safe. I will lay my life down for you".
With that last statement from Andy, Sharon was overcome with more emotions. The tears were not tears of sorrow, but tears of love. She finally understood what it meant to be loved unconditionally by a partner, and to have found it at her age.
