"Here, you can have this back," Andy slapped Sharon in the shoulder with the blue folder. They were alone in the break room, awaiting the arrival of the next suspect.

Sharon giggled and grabbed the folder. "Have you read it this time?" she asked, slapping it back into his chest.

He simply chuckled, taking the file and putting it on the counter away from the coffee he was getting for himself. "Nah... I don't read those things. I just make up a bunch of stuff and hope you don't notice."

"Ah... that's how it works."

"Hey, I must be pretty good if you haven't figured that out in two years."

"Mmm... tell yourself that. How'd it go with Nicole the other day?"

"Nicole? Oh, you mean trying to explain me and you aren't in a big relationship?"

"Mmmhmm..."

Andy shrugged. "I dunno. Fine I guess. She didn't seem upset at all."

"See, I told you. She's just happy to have you around and the rest doesn't matter."

"Thank you," Andy said as Sharon poured coffee in his mug. "You were right, I just had to be straight."

He reached up to the shelf to get the special sugar supply she kept hidden, and took enough for both their drinks. He dumped the sugar in then took the cream from her hand when she passed it behind her. She was still searching the fridge.

"I told you there was nothing to worry about. Nicole is just happy that you are happy, and since the wedding you've been more content. Damn, I can't find the..."

"That blue box you brought in this morning?"

"Yeah, I can't find it."

"I hid it. You never know with Provenza around."

Andy moved from the counter and looked in the fridge while Sharon took a stir stick and stirred their drinks, then carried them over to one of the tables.

"You found it! Good. I've been looking forward to this all morning."

"This from that little deli around the corner from you?" Andy asked, opening the box and looking at the two confections.

"Yes, that's the one. I hope it's to your liking."

Andy sat down beside her and took a long drink of his coffee, then bit into the sugary treat.

"Hey, this isn't bad."

"Don't speak with your mouth full. I thought you'd like it. The fat content is reduced but you'd never know. So, everything is fine with your daughter?"

"Yeah... yeah... my ex-wife on the other hand."

"We've got to come up with a different name for her," Sharon replied, blowing gently on her coffee.

"I've got a few."

"I'm developing some as well. She's just not going to let it go, I assume."

"Truth be told, I haven't said anything to her yet. The more I think about it, the more I think it's none of her business. I mean, Nic's opinion of me matters, the ex not one bit."

"And if it's going to make life difficult..." Sharon shrugged.

"She'll make life difficult, that's for sure. Right now her big thing is how no one decent and mature would want to be with a guy like me anyway, so it must be a lie."

"Which we both know is not true, but it makes her feel better about herself."

Andy nodded, "Exactly, and the thing is she know she can't compete with you..."

"Not that there's a competition or any reason to think there is..."

"Right..." Andy nodded, then rose to get the cream, realizing Sharon's coffee was still too hot. "So the way I'm figuring it, if she's going to go on about this, it says more about how she feels about herself than me."

"That's very wise, Andy. She might be correct in her conclusions, but her reasons for coming to them are all wrong."

"Yeah... Nic knows we're just friends, and I made sure she understood what friends mean. Who care's about what anyone else thinks?"

"That's probably the best way to go," Sharon nodded, then passed him a napkin, "corner of your mouth, left side."

"Right, thanks. So I'm going into this counseling thing tomorrow night with a clean conscience. This is about me and Nic, not her."

Sharon rose from the table and took Andy's mug over to the coffee maker, "You know what I don't understand? I don't understand why your ex-wife is even attending these sessions with you. It's not as if she's willing to mend her relationship with you. And even if she did, it wouldn't make a difference." Sharon shook her head, then topped up his mug. She grabbed the sugar and returned to the table.

"Yeah, that one confuses me too. Nic wants her there but I think she's just dreaming."

"Is Nicole's step-father attending?"

Andy stirred the coffee after adding cream and sugar, "He's still trying, but I put my foot down and the counseling agrees. This is between Nic and her real parents, not the hangers on.

"I'm glad you're sticking with it. I know it's not easy."

"Meh, I do what I gotta do, it's that simple."

"Do you think Nicole will want to talk about the mistake?"

"I dunno. I told her I didn't want to set her mother off, you know... At least this way she's obsessed with me being in a relationship. If she finds out there isn't one, she'll go completely mental on me. This way I can at least be entertained," he grinned.

Sharon smiled conspiratorially, "Yes... there's something very satisfying about watching a despicable person chase their tail."

"Glad you're getting a kick out of this," he said sarcastically.

Sharon merely shrugged and tried to look innocent. "If my name is going to be dragged through your family sessions, I can at least be amused when you tell me about them later."

"Save the texts. Maybe I'll write a book some day. Your coffee cool enough now?"

"Yes. We should clean this up. So these hit the spot?" she asked, breaking down the box to put into the recycling bin.

Andy wiped the crumbs from the table and put the sugar back in it's hiding place. "It's a good thing Provenza's lazy. Saves me from replenishing our secret stash."

"Are we getting low?"

"Nah... we're good for a bit."

"Okay, I'll put it on my grocery list for next week. Alright, let's see what we have next, then we'll get you out of here for your appointment."

"Can't wait," he said sarcastically, "but at least Nic is on board and we can move on."

"Yes, now that she understands you and I aren't in a relationship, it should get easier for you."

"Yup, I'm counting on it," Andy said, then ushered Sharon out of the room with his hand warm against the small of her back.