Hey guys, I am alive...surprisingly.

Thank you to all those who have sent words of support and encouragement, it has been a rough road here for the past little while but I am taking it one day at a time.

Hopefully there are people out there who are still following this, so here is the next chapter.

ONE MORE WEEK3

and thank you to James Duff for letting me play in your sandbox.

Sharon just shook her head and sent a heart as a reply…nope, she didn't have to worry about her daughter, falling asleep for the first time without a care in the world, looking forward to breakfast the following morning.

Andy kept reaching for his tie, every time realizing that it wasn't there. Having Friday mornings and afternoons off have been very advantageous for Andy and Sharon. They were able to come together every week and almost 'report' on what they observed. Andy brought his knowledge of the Vito and his people while Sharon brought her knowledge of her time in narcotics and they were building a great case, building a great hierarchy of people, noticing that Vito wanted to move out of the drugs and sex and more into drugs and guns.

Sharon and Andy noticed his extreme escalation, figuring the legalization of marijuana didn't help their case much.

Since that night almost two months ago they seemed to be getting closer and closer to each other. The flirting got bolder and touches lasted longer. Their lunches felt more like dates, but they didn't really want to label anything, just let it all go. The fact that another two girls died also didn't help things, they couldn't focus on what was building between them when things were coming to a head at the Tiny Dancer.

Sharon put her hand on Andy's arm, stopping him from reaching for his neck what seemed like the tenth time. She knew he was nervous, quite honestly she was nervous too, introducing him to her real life, seeing who she really was, afraid that once it all became physically real he would change his mind about forgiving her…but she couldn't think about that right now so she just grabbed Andy and soothed his nervousness trying to help with her own.

It was her idea to have Andy join her in her meeting with Agent Harting and Chief Erik, figuring it was time for introductions. With things escalating Sharon wanted to be prepared for whatever could happen, which meant keeping Andy safe. Sharon knew that Andy was more than capable of taking care of himself, she just wanted to mostly make sure that he wasn't going to become collateral damage.

The elevator finally came to a stop on the Major Crimes floor, where the meeting was to be held. Sharon gave Andy one last squeeze of his harm before stepping of the elevator, sending a smile in his direction as she entered the hallway leading towards the Murder Room. The sound of voices and strokes of the keyboard greatly calmed Sharon, smiling as she saw Detective Louie Provenza look up from his file.

"Well, well, look what the tornado blew in..."

Sharon glared as the Detective shot his rookie partner a smirk before turning back to the woman in question.

"I see you even brought a flying monkey with you, how nice."

This time Sharon couldn't keep herself from laughing and the Detective's antics. It hadn't been easy, developing a good relationship with the Major Crimes division. Internal Affairs was never well liked to begin with and once Sharon stepped in it seemed that things shifted. She cleaned house of a few very crooked cops, keeping a steely expression and cold demeanor, needing to show balls as a woman and demand respect as the head of IA. That gained her the nick name "Wicked Witch". It took the newest rookie officer, Julio Shanchez, almost getting beat up by a suspect for the Major Crimes division to see how dedicated Sharon Raydor was to both the rules, and the LAPD. It seemed from then on that an alliance was made between the two divisions, and Sharon noticed that once they took a liking to someone outside their circle, they became one of them, protected.

"Very nice to see you too Detective Provenza, Officer Sanchez, and yes, I have brought a good friend with me, Andy Flynn. Andy, this is Officer Julio Sanchez and Detective…"

Before Sharon could finish Provenza stepped in, "Actually ma'am, it is soon to be Lieutenant Louie Provenza, it is nice to meet you Mr. Flynn."

"Very nice to meet you too, Detective Provenza." Andy replied shaking his hand. He could tell he was being sized up, watching the older man take him quickly in, to make sure he was no threat to their dear IA head…he wouldn't be surprised if as soon as they left a background check would be done on him.

"Sorry you missed everyone else, they had court today, Buzz is playing with his new toy in electronics, it is a slow day for murder…at least for now."

Sharon and Andy both nodded their heads in acknowledgement, Andy still feeling the eyes of both men on him. Before anything else was able to be said footsteps were heard from the hallway to their left. Sharon turned just in time to see Sam walking down the corridor, a smile dawning his bruised face.

"Sharon…" Sam said, enveloping her into a hug, "So nice to see you again."
"Same you to Sam, glad to see you are no worse for wear, Angie texted me saying how you got into it with one of our friends in the 38 Specials a few days ago."

Same laughed, "You know me, always looking for trouble…" He sent a wink before turning to the man standing a few feet away from her.
"And this must be Andy Flynn…" Sam said, extending a hand out towards him. Andy took his hand and shook it, sending a questioning look to Sharon. "It is finally nice to put a face to the name, Agent Sam Harting, Narcotics Division."

Surprise turned to recognition as Andy put the pieces together, Sharon always told stories about their time together in Narcotics, and how he had taught her all that she knew.

"Yes, very nice to meet you too, Sharon has said so much about you, the stories have been great and it sounds like you were a great mentor." Andy said, seeing pride shine though Sam's eyes, "But I did have a question…one of your cases….when Sharon had to go undercover as a dancer…"

Sharon coughed, hoping to stop Andy from continuing his line of question. Andy shot Sharon a wink and turned back to Sam,

"I was just wondering if you guys caught the guy."

Laughter rang through the corridor as Sharon smacked Andy, a blush coming to her cheeks, "You are so full of it Andrew Flynn…Sam, I assume you came out to tell us that the Chief is ready for our meeting?"

Sam nodded towards Sharon, "Yes, you are correct, oh and Andy, we must get together sometime for dinner, I have plenty of stories." Sam smirked as he saw Sharon pale slightly, 'This way please." Sam directed, heading down the hallway.

Andy hesitated for a second before feeling a small hand enter his own, giving it a gentle squeeze, "Don't worry Andy, I am here, every single step, you will be fine."

Andy sent her a nod and a grateful smile as she let go of his hand and turned towards the direction Sam went, "After you." Andy replied, placing his hand familiarly on the small of Sharon's back, drawing strength from her.

He could do this.

Andy twisted the rose in his hands, nerves building and doubt clouding his mind. Maybe this was a bad idea, he was already running late. He shook his head, no, he told himself, I have to do this…it needs to be done.

With that he stepped forward, laying the rose against the granite top, kneeling down on the soft grass.

"You would love her, both of them really, but especially Emily, she reminds me so much of you. I know I was never around when you needed me, especially during your teenage years so I hope you won't become upset with me as I try to be there for another young girl whose father left her, drunk and gambling.

I hope you are okay with my being there sweetheart. I just don't want her to miss out on what I know you now that you needed…almost 15 years of sobriety have taught me a lot about who I was from who I became. I am so glad I was able to become the father you needed and I hope I am still making you proud Nicole…" Andy took a deep breath, "I better get going, I am already running late and I am sure Sharon is pacing around her house…" Andy chuckled, "You would love her my guardian angel, I have started to myself."

Andy slowly got up then, wiping a tear from his eye, "Until next time my darling, keep those wings in good condition, I will be needing you for a very long time."

"Great job sweetheart, you looked so amazing up there, so mature and grown up."

Emily rolled her eyes but still embraced her overly dramatic mother, a smile playing on her lips. She was used to her mother's emotions after her spring and winter recitals, it seemed every year she got older Sharon would get more emotional, knowing soon she will be on her own. Letting go Emily turned to Andy, smiling at his presence.

"Thank you for coming Andy, it means a lot to me." Emily said, shooting a knowing look at her mother.

"I wouldn't be anywhere else Emily, you did an amazing job, reminding me so much of my daughter, she would have loved to be here, she was my tiny dancer, and seeing you up there was very healing to me, so thank you for allowing me to be able to come."

Both Emily and Sharon had to stop from tearing up, Andy looked so sincere and yet almost broken at the same time. Emily went up and hugged Andy, feeling like he needed a hug,

"Thank you Andy, I know your daughter was here, I only wish I got to know her."

They both let go and smiled fondly at each other. Emily turned back to her mother, smirking as she quickly wiped a tear away,

"Mom, I am hungry, can we get food?"

Sharon laughed and nodded at her daughter, "Go get your stuff and we will go out to the diner you love."

Emily smiled, nodding to both adults before turning to go into the dressing room.

Sharon turned towards Andy and placed her hand on his arm, a familiar gesture, "Thank you so much Andy, she looked so happy to see you showed up…it meant a lot….to both of us."

Andy smiled and leaned in, dropping a kiss to Sharon's cheeks, feeling daring and aimed towards the edge of her lips, hearing a sharp intake of breath. He leaned back and smirked at her, enjoying the blush creeping on her cheeks.

"Okay, let's go get our tiny dancer before she starts eating her glitter skirt."

Sharon just started laughing, reveling in the word ours…and the feeling of his lips close to hers…she sure hoped that she would get more of that…and decided that she was going to stop waiting and just start doing…starting with seducing Andrew Flynn.