Chapter 10

Andy looked forward to what Sharon will say right now. Watching she panics, he began to worry more and more and to lose patience. She constantly was dodging his eyes and he could see it. He stepped toward her and squeezed her shoulder, forcing her to look into his eyes.

"Sharon, what's up? You're trying to tell me something but you can't. Can you tell me finally?" he asked almost with anger. Sharon took a deep breath and bit her lip.

"Andy, the truth is that today I talked to Chief Johnson about the last case and the poor little girl Madison. Look, she told me that Maddie should be safe, but I don't know if you'll agree with my decision. Brenda and I think that Maddy has to live with us. " she said quickly, looking at his reaction. Andy's eyes widened and he stepped back.

"What? You mean that you and I will take care of Maddie until the investigation is completed?" he asked, confused. Sharon nodded almost imperceptibly. She felt that Andy wasn't very pleased with this fact.

"You look pale. Maybe because you don't want that responsibility, but Andy this poor girl has no parents. The killer is out and she is in danger. We must save Maddie, whatever happens. Don't forget that you're a cop and that's part of your job. " Sharon said heatedly. Andy rolled his eyes, disgruntled and put his hands in his pockets. Of course, he wasn't happy with this, but still, he was ready to help this little child.

"Sharon, I'm aware of that. I love children and I want to help Maddie, but do you think this is the best way? I mean that this serial killer is out and your life is also in danger. Together with Maddie, you are also in danger. Of course, I'll always be with you, but it's pretty serious case. " Andy said firmly. Sharon shook her head and squeezed his shoulder.

"Andy, I beg you, let's not argue about that. I believe that Maddie will be in good hands. She must be safe and we both are the only who can help her. Trust me, everything will be fine. Maddie is 10 year-old child. I can't leave this child. Understand me. " she said softly. Andy nodded slightly and touched her face gently.

"Well, Sharon. Let's Maddie stay with us, although it will be quite difficult. I'm not sure whether we'll be able to catch the killer so quickly." he said uncertainly. Sharon shrugged.

"Whatever happens, I'll be with Maddie." she said firmly. Andy agreed. Still, he loved Sharon and that was their job. They had to help the little girl, despite all circumstances. That afternoon, Sharon and Andy continued the conversation and how to be their new way of life, then in the evening, they returned home with little Maddie. The little girl, however, didn't want to live with two cops. She was aggressive child despite her age. Yes, Andy loved little children, but somehow this girl was quite spoiled. He was almost convinced that Maddie will create problems between him and Sharon, as the investigation could continue a little longer.

"Well, Maddie, do you want to go to the nursery while I prepare dinner with Andy?" Sharon asked with a smile and handed her the bag. The little girl frowned.

"I don't want to live with you!" Maddie screamed. Andy closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. He wanted to be polite but this little child was badass.

"Maddie, I know that this situation is difficult for you. I know that losing is terrible, but you're a smart kid and you can understand that. You have to live with us because you have to be safe. You suffered a shock and be sure, we just want to help you. " Sharon said firmly, taking her jacket. The little girl frowned and walked to the nursery. Sharon was grateful that in Andy's apartment there is a nursery, although until now, she had no chance to ask what is this room. She also could see that her new life will be completely different. She sighed wearily and looked down. Andy approached her.

"Sharon, do you really want to take care of this child? I think it will be a big problem for us. She is quite spoiled." Andy said angrily. Sharon hushed quietly and squeezed his shoulder.

"Andy, she lost her parents in a terrible way. That murderer killed her parents before her eyes. Do you think that this child can be calm? Andy, she is under stress and that's it. But I'm sure she can overcome it. " she tried to calm him, but Andy didn't want to change his opinion. However, he hugged Sharon and kissed her softly on the forehead. While they both were preparing dinner, Maddie was crying in the nursery. She couldn't believe that her parents are dead and she has to live with two cops. It was a terrible nightmare, especially for a young child like her. Although Sharon and Andy insisted Maddie to have dinner with them, the little girl had refused, saying that she has a homework. Sharon decided to bring her a sandwich and returned to the kitchen, where Andy was waiting for her. He looked at her carefully.

"What happens Sharon? You seem distracted." he remarked sarcastically. Sharon took a deep breath and leaned back.

"I'm just worried about Maddie. She doesn't want to have dinner and I decided to prepare her sandwich. I don't know what to do. I want this little girl to feel comfortable here, but I'm not so sure." she admitted sadly. Andy rolled his eyes and sighed.

"Sharon, she is not your daughter. She's just a spoiled kid. I don't know why you decided to take care of her, knowing the consequences." he said with anger. Sharon looked at him coldly. She didn't want Maddie to be the cause of a new scandal between them. She took his hand.

"Andy, I can't believe that you talk this way. I don't want Maddie to be a problem between us." she said in a calm voice. Andy released her hand and stood up.

"Sharon, you make this problem between us. Yes, I love children and want to help Maddie, but I feel what scandal is coming between us because of this spoiled girl!" he almost shouted. Sharon immediately stood before him and put her hand over his mouth. She didn't want Maddie to hear their cries.

"Andy, enough! I can't believe that just you're talking that way. Last night, I explained what a pain I experienced of losing my child. I lost two children without even got a chance to hug them. I lost our baby." she said bitterly. Andy took a deep breath.

"Sharon, what do you mean? That Maddie will help you forget the pain?" Andy asked furiously. Sharon gritted her teeth in anger.

"Of course not. I just need to forget the pain." she admitted.

"Well, Sharon. Whether I'm a cop and this is my job, I don't want to take care for a child as Madison. Perhaps it would be better she to stay in your home. Who knows, she may feel more comfortable? " Andy said ironically. Sharon swallowed the lump in her throat and her eyes filled with tears. She couldn't believe that Andy chases her in this way from his home. Without thinking even more, Sharon took her things and returned to her home with Maddie. She didn't want to talk to Andy anymore. Andy didn't regret anything. He couldn't tolerate the fact that Sharon wants to forget her pain with this strange child's help. Yes, he wanted to help Maddie, but he didn't want Sharon to be so close to her - perhaps as a mother. Fortunately, at least this time, Andy didn't consider drinking. The next morning, however, things were complicated. Sharon and Andy barely looked at each other. During the lunch break, Andy and Provenza went to a restaurant for a good lunch. Provenza couldn't stop to question Andy as a criminal, seeing how sad he is.

"Andy, will you tell me what happened?" Provenza asked furiously. Andy took a deep breath.

"Well, old man. I'll tell you. Last night I had a terrible argument with Sharon because of Maddie and I chased her from my house." Provenza's eyes widened and he almost choked.

"What? You drove out Sharon because of Maddie? Why?" he asked, confused.

"When Sharon told me that she wants to forget the pain of losing our child with Maddie's help, I just lost control." Andy said heatedly. Provenza sighed and shook his head.

"Flynn, you're an idiot! Maddie will live with you only until the investigation is complete, but you just love doing scandals! Come on to your senses!" Provenza said sternly. Andy sighed wearily and shrugged. He didn't want to lose Sharon because of a similar problem. That afternoon, Sharon spoke with Chief Johnson and refused to take care of Maddie because she didn't want a problem with Andy and she couldn't tolerate his whims. In the evening, Andy found Sharon in the murder room and asked to talk with her, but Sharon was unable. She was still angry because of his behavior last night.

"Sharon, you must listen to me." he said plaintively. Sharon took a deep breath and walked to the door.

"I'm sorry, but I have enough work to listen to you. I don't want pointless conversation right now." she said sharply and left the murder room, leaving Andy alone ...

~~~ TBC ~~~