A/N: Thank you again to everyone who has read, followed, or reviewed this story. I really appreciate you all. I think I have mentioned this before, but I had never written anything like this until around this time last year. (Honestly, I do not think I had ever written anything "creative" other than journal assignments in elementary school.) This is one of the ways I cope with the not so fun thoughts in my head. Everyone has their issues and their coping mechanisms, but this is one way I have found to calm down when I am spiraling. I have always enjoyed thinking of stories after watching a film/show or after reading a book, but this experiences has been the first time I have taken the time to write them down. So, this story is just another version of me thinking, "what if it had gone this way...," and then running with it. So, thanks for rolling along with me. Hopefully I will someday figure out how to stay more on topic, or find a plot. lol This update is maybe a little heavier, but we are turning it back around to the more fun stuff.


With a Bit of Luck Chapter 7

"Flynn," he whispered hoarsely into the phone as he rolled onto his side. At the sound of his partner's voice on the line, he brought his hand up to his face to pinch the bridge of his nose and muttered, "Okay, yeah." As Provenza continued to rattle off the details, he grumbled, "Okay be right there." Squinting he brought his phone in front of his face and pressed his thumb to the screen to end the call. Andy exhaled and dropped his arms back to his side upon seeing, "3:17am," flash on the screen. He turned his head and buried his face into the pillow not wanting to muster up the strength to get out of bed.

"You're going to be late," came a sleepy voice to his right. "The rules only allow for a certain amount of travel time." She burrowed deeper into her comforter and hummed, "You have a specific arrival window…"

"Yeah, yeah," he interrupted, rolling onto his other side and stretching out to pull her closer. Andy encircled his arms around her and whispered, "I don't want to hear from the walking rulebook at the moment." He danced his fingers up the side of her leg to emphasize his point, "Even if she does walk in with a pair of the - ."

Sharon grinned and gently reached back to poke his side before he could finish his sentence, "Hey, buddy. Are you looking for a sensitivity seminar to go along with the one for failure to-."

"Hey lady," he laughed as he reached out to still her hand. "This is a neutral zone, nothing here can get me into trouble there." When she rolled to face him, Andy smiled, "And that one was your rule too."

"It is so nice to know you do listen, occasionally," she teased. "That you can sometimes quote the rules… even if it is only to use some of them against me."

"Of course I listen," he interrupted again. He closed his eyes and hummed, "I would not say I was using them against you though. I am merely pointing out the flaw in your empty threat."

"Empty threat?" She repeated still facing him. Sharon squinted her eyes playfully and poked his side again, "If you feel that the rules give you free reign to be cheeky, then we can always reevaluate them, Andrew... or eliminate their need all together."

At her touch he crumpled slightly and opened his eyes laughing, "I take it back. Nothing empty about your threat." He bent over and brushed his lips against her cheek.

"Damn straight," she chided pulling away from him slightly.

Still smiling he went on, "No need to reevaluate anything. The rules are the rules."

"I knew you would see things my way," she teased closing her eyes again. "Careful though, don't let your partner hear you saying the rules are necessary. He may have a coronary on the spot."

Andy rolled his eyes, "Serves him right… but let's add another rule: No talking about Provenza in the bedroom." When she opened her eyes, he added, "Or ever."

"Fine by me," she grinned. "It is just nice to know you have reevaluated your position on such things."

Taking the opportunity to make sure she knew he was still being serious, even as they were joking, Andy leaned toward her and stressed, "Well, like I said last night. I am forever sorry for implying you were using them against people. That you did not care."

"Thanks," Sharon bit down on her lip at his change in tone. "I know you try. Sometimes everyone all at once can be a little overwhelming."

"I'm sorry I sent you into defensive mode," Andy sighed pulling her closer to him.

Sharon shrugged, trying to alleviate the tension, "Well, at least you are coming around. My wicked plan to make you all rational, level-headed, rule-following officers seems to have been a success."

"A success?" Andy grinned, "You truly are evil."

With a self-satisfied smile Sharon rubbed his arm, "Yes, but since we said it here, no one can ever know out there."

"Very convenient to have those rules in place then," Andy smirked.

Sharon leaned forward, placing her lips just beside his ear to repeat his words, "Very convenient." She pressed a light kiss to his temple before rolling away with mock seriousness, "Now, Lieutenant, get moving. It truly would be a shame for you to be written up for failing to arrive on time... you don't like seminars. Plus, I still have a couple hours to sleep."

"Wicked woman," he drawled as he sat up and pulled himself out of bed.

On her side with her back to him Sharon smirked at the comment. She heard Andy lumber into the en suite and begin to get himself ready for work. At the sound of the water running Sharon rolled onto her back and stared up at the ceiling. Lost in thought, she recalled the events of the last couple of weeks, as well as her conversations with Andrea and even the last few with both Chief Johnson and Lieutenant Provenza. With their increasing interactions at work, the potential for others to discover their relationship had grown. It had been fun to tease the Lieutenant, but it was possible they were heading toward something more. After all, he was using his toothbrush. The one she had suggested he leave here - just in case. She sat up knees bent in front of her and looked toward her closet. The door was open just enough to see one of his suits hanging next to hers - so he would not have to rush home if he stayed over. Sharon bit down on her lip as her eyes fell to her spot on the bed. She was on her side - because at some point over the last year the left side had become his. At some point the casual fling had turned into something comforting and familiar.

"I thought you were going back to sleep?" Andy wondered as he emerged from the bathroom, disrupting her train of thought.

Sharon covered for her musings with a soft smile. She lifted her arms to cloak them loosely around her bent knees, "Just admiring the view."

Andy rolled his eyes and chuckled, "Sure, Sharon. Go back to bed babe. It isn't fair for me to drop by late and then wake you up early because of a roll out."

Sharon smirked at the comment, "That doesn't matter." He smiled in return as he stepped into the closet. With his back to her Sharon whispered, "I'm glad you came."

She stood in the doorway with her arms wrapped loosely around chest. "Andy?" She squinted up at him, "What are you doing here?" He was standing uncomfortably on her porch. The light from inside barely illuminating his emotionally exhausted face.

"Look, Sharon, I know it's not your problem," he exhaled dejectedly and glanced down at his hands. He shuffled his weight between his feet and sighed softly, "But I need a place to stay."

Confused by his statement and defeated tone Sharon dropped her arms and leaned against the doorframe. "Okay," she paused as her eyes scanned his appearance, "but why would you come here?"

Andy rubbed the back of his neck and looked up to meet her eyes. "I don't know," he shrugged, "I couldn't go home. I didn't know where to go. I just got in the car and started driving. Next thing I knew, I was in front of your house."

"Look, Andy," she sighed standing taller in the doorway. "I'm sorry, but you can't just show up here in the middle of the night. My children are asleep. It is 3:00 in the morning... and I mean Jack isn't here either if you were looking for him."

Dropping his head, Andy shrugged again, "I know. I'm sorry. I just, I mean. I should go." He turned and ambled back in the direction of his vehicle.

Not used to seeing him so troubled she stepped from the porch, "Wait." He slowed, but did not turn around. Sharon hurried after him, "Andy, wait. Come back."

"You're right," he exhaled as she reached him. With his eyes still on the ground he mumbled, "I shouldn't have come here, it is the middle of the night." Sharon stood next to him with her arms crossed lightly around her middle. He fidgeted slightly, "I just can't win. I am trying, but she won't let me come home." He glanced up to her and exhaled, "Then at work, I have your squad breathing down my neck. Watching me for any missteps. For any slips... but I don't know." Andy took a small step back and gestured toward her house, "I just, we all used to be friends. You, Jack, Me, Sandra... We were all happy in our own ways." He shrugged and began to ramble, "or mostly happy. We were just trying to navigate it all. Things are different now, I know. You have had to take a transfer. Word around the office is that Jack left again. As for... I know I made my mistakes, but where did it all go wrong?"

Sharon bit down on the inside of her cheek at the comment. She was not a fan of the office rumor mill or being mentioned in it, but it was unavoidable at this point. Sharon had faced some backlash for her decision to transfer, but her children were more important. She had to make the change to a more stable schedule and safer environment to be able to be there for them. Shaking off the need to defend herself she moved to reach for him, "I don't know where things went wrong for anyone, Andy. I'm sorry. We can't always predict or control our lives, but we can adapt to the changes as they come. Even if we feel we contributed to those changes." She brushed her hand against his arm, "You can stay here for tonight. The couch is free. Come on inside." She tugged slightly on his arm to direct him toward the door, "Then tomorrow... tomorrow you can tell me what is going on and we can go from there."

Andy lifted his eyes to hers, "Thanks, Sharon. I just, I can't seem to get anything right. I really am sorry for just showing up like this. It's not your problem."

"It's all right, Andy. For you and your family's sake I'm glad you came here instead of going somewhere else." Sharon let her comment hang for a moment before she tapped her hand lightly on his elbow to guide him toward the door. "You may think my department is watching you for any slip ups, but you just have to keep working, to stay focused on what is important to you. You will get there. It just takes time."

The following morning they had discussed his options and he had left. He was working on his sobriety, but shortly after that evening he had checked himself into a rehab facility. Ninety days later he returned healthier and sober, but his family still was not ready for him. As a result he threw himself into his work. His passion for the job had the two of them knocking heads more often than not, but it was something. They never brought their pasts into the office and neither one mentioned the night he searched out a friend instead of a drink. They simply moved forward.

Back in the bedroom, Andy emerged from the closet to find Sharon still sitting up in the bed. Her eyes had a slightly far off look to them as she let her mind wander through her memories.

"Sharon?" Andy whispered as he gently rubbed her shoulder. "You all right."

Sharon shook herself slightly to come back to the present. She looked up to him tiredly and hummed, "Sorry?"

"I was just saying that I was leaving..." Andy prompted. "Where were you just now?"

Sharon reached up and squeezed his hand. She tilted her head and smiled softly, "Don't worry. Just thinking about the past."

"Oh," Andy sighed as he pressed his lips together in consideration. "Lots to unpack there..." he let his voice trail for a moment before sitting on the edge of her bed. "But, it is the past. Rocky starts, long winding paths, and such."

Sharon grinned thoughtfully at the comment, "And such."

"Well, Sharon," he rubbed the back of his neck. "I mean, we have lived our lives. It is strange to imagine we were all young once. That at one point we were all just starting out, thinking we could take on the world." He paused, "Then things began to fall apart. Marriages, friendships, families... and then there was just anger, resentment, and..." he shrugged as his voice trailed.

Sharon lifted the side of her mouth into a reluctant half smile, "Well, that's life I guess. We could never have predicted how things would turn out. We just had to respond to the changes the best way we knew how. You did not let your demons win, others did."

He shrugged, "But I was pretty horrible while I was battling them... and I guess if we want to get technical it's still a battle."

"That's true," Sharon assured him. "But we all make choices. Some choices are better than others. That was then."

Andy smirked, "And look at now." He let out a chuckle, "I'm still quick to anger and showing up unannounced."

"Yes," Sharon rolled her eyes as she smiled in return. "But this time you brought dessert… and you have mellowed."

"Damn straight," he smirked repeating her earlier sentiment. When she smiled again he murmured, "Well, Sharon. I just know that sure we all make mistakes, but I am working very hard at keeping the big ones to a minimum."

"You know it is kind of strange if you think about all of that. I mean strange to be sitting here having this discussion with someone who loathed my existence."

Andy considered her words, "I don't know about loathe. You were just really annoying." He laughed softly, "You went from one of us to one of them. Plus, it was kind of fun to test the waters."

Sharon rolled her eyes, "Well, it was not that fun on my end."

"I know that now," Andy assured her. "I guess some of us may have forgotten that you were a person and had a heart…"

"Who knew," she shrugged her shoulders casually in an attempt to lighten the mood.

Andy glanced over to the window and then back to her, "I'm sorry for not always remembering that, even now."

She rubbed his arm and smiled reassuringly, "Don't worry. Everything is all right." She pressed her hand against his side, signaling for him to stand, "You're going to be late, Lieutenant. Better get a move on it before your partner gets too suspicious or jealous."

Andy rolled his eyes and smirked, "I can pretty much guarantee he will do whatever he can to avoid drifting toward that conversation."

"Probably so," Sharon laughed quietly as she leaned forward and pecked his lips. "Now, get going."

Andy stood up and brought his hand to his forehead in salute, "Aye aye, Captain."

Sharon rolled her eyes and curled back into bed, "Be safe."

Half an hour later Andy rolled up to the crime scene. Most of the team was already there, along with a dozen or so other officers. The fire department was working to put out the last remaining embers, and Kendall was ready to examine the body.

Andy edged toward his partner, "Why so glum?" He asked with a little too much cheer given the time and the scene.

His partner rolled his head to give him a challenging stare. "I have never been happy at this hour, Flynn. No one likes being rolled out at 3am," he muttered. "And that usually includes you. What in the hell has got you in such a good mood?" Andy simply smirked back at his partner without a word. "Ye' Gods. On second thought don't answer that question. Don't answer any question for that matter. Just stay away from me."

"If only they could happen," Andy chuckled at the thought. They both turned to watch the LAFD put out the last remaining flames on the vehicle and surrounding area. He leaned over, "Well, at least she should be out of this one. You will have a little bit of peace. Unless of course you just drop by the house again or something."

Provenza rolled his eyes and groaned, "Ew, Flynn, just ew... And let's hope that she will not be around to sit on my desk or to call me by my name." He shuddered, "Can we stop this now? Besides it seemed like things were a bit rocky on your end of that phone call earlier."

"You were listening in?" Andy smirked, "You're worse a Mrs. Kravitz with your eavesdropping and gossiping." When his partner began to puff, Andy cut him off, "Not that it is any of your business, but sometimes people argue. That does not mean it's over... which I mean may be a stretch for you considering all of your past relationship experiences."

Provenza stepped forward and dropped his voice, "Okay, Flynn that's enough. Let's just get back to -"

"Gentleman," twanged their Chief, interrupting their argument. "What do we have?"

"Well, Chief," Andy began turning from his partner. "Kendall just gained access to the victim. On the surface it looks like an accident, but the guys called us out when the vehicle fire was not consistent with a typical crash."

Brenda nodded, "All right. Well we will work that angle." She turned to Provenza, "Lieutenant would you make sure we have all of the witness statements..." The older man nodded and trooped off toward the tape. Andy shook his head as he watched Provenza stomp away.

"What was that all about, Lieutenant?" Brenda probed as she passed under the tape. "Seemed like you two were discussin' something important when I walked up."

Not entirely sure what the Chief had possibly heard, Andy simply smirked, "Don't worry, Chief. He is just a grump. Nothing new."

"Fine," Brenda lamented. "Just seems to be a little more extreme these days...You two and a few others."

Andy waved off her comment, "Nothing too crazy, Chief. Just a typical early morning."

Brenda nodded, "Okay, well let's get this wrapped up out here then."

Andy nodded and walked over to check on Buzz and the video.

TBC


The flashback was originally a drabble "I need a place to stay."