Rusty was up early to pick Ricky up at the airport. Truth be known, he never really went back to sleep after he was awakened by Sharon's nightmare. He knew Ricky would be full of questions and he wondered how much he needed to tell him. As he made his way into the kitchen, he noticed the red teapot sitting beside the kettle. He looked around and spotted Sharon out on the balcony cradling her tea cup in her hands. She turned and looked toward the sound of the sliding glass door opening.

"Good morning honey. You're up early for a Saturday morning?" she asked puzzled.

"Yeah, I…"

"Rusty? What's going on?" She could read him like a book and she knew he was up to something.

"Don't be mad."

"Okay, first tell me what not to be mad about and then I will decide."

"I'm leaving in a few minutes to pick up Ricky at the airport. He flew in this morning. Please Mom…"

"Ricky knows what happen…" she carefully stood so she could look him in the eyes.

"Not exactly, he just knows something happen and that you need him. I didn't tell him any details, just that Jack showed up unannounced."

"Rusty!"

"He called while I was at dinner with Provenza and Sanchez. He couldn't reach you or Andy and he was worried. I couldn't lie to him."

"Come here," she motioned to him and hugged him tightly in her arms. "I'm not mad. I…just wish I could protect Ricky and Emily from this…but you are right. We can't lie…it wouldn't be fair to any of us. And if I am being totally honest, I do need him here. So go…go pickup your big brother."

Rusty hugged her tight and stepped back, "Can I get you some more tea before I leave?"

"Yes, that would be nice," she smiled as she softly caressed his cheek before he retreated to the kitchen.

As Rusty put on a fresh kettle of water to boil, Andy walked from the bedroom, still in his pajama bottoms and t-shirt. "Morning kid," Andy said with a yawn. "Please tell me there's coffee too."

"Don't worry Flynn; I just put on half a pot for you. Mom's out on the balcony if you want to take her tea out. I was just about to leave for the airport."

"So I assume you told her…"

"I had too. She has that sixth sense when something is up. She wasn't really mad, just more, I don't know. Sad I guess. But after we talked for a while she admitted she was glad Ricky's going to be here."

"Good. How long she been up?"

"She was already on the balcony when I got up. And judging from the temperature of her teapot, I would say for quite a while."

"Hmm." Andy reached for his coffee cup with one hand and her teacup with the other, "you better get going kid. Thanks for the coffee." Sitting his cup on the side table he opened the glass door and stepped out behind where Sharon was sitting. He came around her chair and gently kissed her cheek before handing her teacup over. "Morning sweetheart."

Andy stepped back and quickly got his coffee cup before settling in the chair across from Sharon. "How you holding up this morning?"

She smiled softly back at him, "Good, you?"

"Good." He grinned back at her. "I'm glad Ricky is coming."

"After some thought and talking with Rusty, I am too. But I wish he...they didn't have to deal with this."

"You can't protect them from everything, Sharon. Besides, they're adults now."

"I know but they will always be kids to me. I spent their whole childhood trying to protect them from their father's addiction and now…I don't know…"standing she walked over to the balcony railing and looked out over the early morning. She remained there standing not looking at him as she continued, "I can't blame Jack's addiction on what happen yesterday…and how…do I explain that to Ricky and Emily."

"You can't Sharon. Only Jack knows why he did what he did. Only he can explain it."

"I guess he will have his chance this afternoon," turning back to look at him, "I just need to decide if I am going to let Ricky go with me."

Quickly he stood, running his hands through his hair, "Sharon, you're not going to see Jack this afternoon. I thought Gavin would handle everything for you."

"Andy, I have to. I have to handle him myself. If it makes you feel better, Gavin will be there, but I am doing this. Don't you see I have no choice? I need closure and I need to know why."

He could see the annoyance flare in her eyes and he was sure she could see the same mirrored in his. He sat back down and held his head in his hands. "I won't argue with you about this and part of me understands why you need to see him. But…I…don't like it. You don't deserve any of this! It makes me so angry that I can't do anything…to help…that I can't come with you."

Before he could finish, she was beside him. She pushed him back in the chair and gently settled in his lap, placing a finger to his lips. "You are everything…Andy…do you not realize that just your mere presence beside me makes everything okay."

"But…"

"Andy, you have done far more for me than anyone ever has before. You've loved me, been patient with me, protected me, comforted me and even been angry at me when I needed it. You…complete me, don't you see that?" She placed her hands on either side of his face and pulled his lips to hers. Soft and gentle at first, she tugged on his bottom lip seeking access to his mouth. He hesitated for a moment before running his tongue along her bottom lip. Her hands ran into his hair as she pulled him closer. He could taste the earl grey on her lips as their tongues danced together. She pulled back from him; his hands were tightly gripping the arms of the chair they were sitting in. Placing her hand on top of his she gazed intently at him, "You can touch me Andy, I'm not going to break."

"Sweetheart, I…"

She pulled him to her again. This time he didn't hesitate, his lips joined hers as his hands ran up her back and into her hair, his thumb tracing a small circle at the base of her neck. She shifted in his lap to straddle him, careful not to pull at the healing wound in her side. She leaned back, slowly putting her hand flat in the middle of his chest. He traced a soft finger across her chin and down her neck. She is so beautiful he thought, as his fingers moved lower he unbuttoned the top button of his dress shirt that she was wearing. As he pushed the edge of the shirt back, he caught sight of the still healing bruises along her neck and chest. He paused for a moment, looking deep in her light jade eyes, before he brought his mouth to her neck and gently trailed soft tender kisses along each mark. He brought his lips back to her mouth, gently biting at her bottom lip before taking her mouth fully in his. Their lips separated, their foreheads touching as they breathed each other in. They both knew it was too soon to take this any further, but they both also needed to feel the unrequited passion they shared.

"I love you Andrew Flynn," she smiled, as one lone tear slid down her cheek.

He reached up and caught her tear with his thumb, "I love you more."

She slowly slid back off his lap and he stood, taking her tightly in his arms. They gathered their cups and stepped back inside. Just as they entered the kitchen they heard a knock coming from the front door. The sound startled Sharon and she quickly stepped behind Andy. "Who could that be?"

"Just stay here and I'll go see." Andy kissed her cheek and quickly made his way to the door. He was more than surprised to find Provenza standing there with a bag in his hand.

"I called your cell, but you didn't answer. Patrice made cinnamon rolls for everyone. She thought the boys would like them." Provenza grumbled as he barged in past Andy and made his way into the kitchen.

"Captain," he said sitting the bag on the bar.

"Good morning Lieutenant. How nice of Patrice. I'm sure Ricky and Rusty will love them."

"She said if you put them in the oven now they should be ready by the time Rusty and Ricky get back from the airport. She wrote everything down…something about the icing being separate. Hell. I don't know; it's all in the bag."

Sharon and Andy looked at each other smiling. "Can I get you some coffee, Lieutenant?"

"Sure, I have a few minutes if it's no trouble."

"Why don't you get the oven going and I'll fix Grumpy's coffee," Andy replied, coming around to stand next to Sharon, his arm draping across her waist for a brief moment.

As Sharon busied herself with the oven, Andy and Provenza stepped out on the balcony to chat. "How is she this morning?"

"She says she's good, but I'm not sure," Andy replied, shaking his head. "She had a terrible nightmare last night."

"Andy, that's not uncommon after all she has been through. Hell, we all have nightmares if a case gets to close to us."

"I know, I know, but…here's the thing…Even after everything with Stroh and Dunn, she didn't have one single nightmare. But this crap with Jack…"

"Andy," he turned at the sound of Sharon's voice, "I have the cinnamon rolls in the oven. Will you check them in about 20 minutes? I'm going to freshen up before the kids get back." She stepped further out on the balcony, "And Louie, please tell Patrice how much I really appreciate everything. I'll leave you two boys to talk," she said turning and making her way to her bedroom.

"Do you think she heard you?"

"What?"

"Oh come on Flynn, did she hear us talking about her. I don't want to piss her off."

"Oh that. No she's fine with us talking. She knows I need someone to vent to and she expects it be you."

"Oh, well…okay…I need some more coffee. Was that your shirt she's wearing?"

Andy got up and followed Louie back into the kitchen. "Yeah, it was. It's kind of just become her thing to do each day. I kinda' like it," he said grinning.

"Oh brother," Provenza sighed. "Okay, I'm going to go before I hear something that may burn my ears. Oh, I did want to tell you don't worry about her this afternoon. She doesn't know it, but I will be there when she meets with Jack."

"Wait, how did you know?"

"Gavin called me this morning to give me a heads up. You think she really is going to let Ricky go too?"

"I don't know. That's a tough one. I'm hoping he won't give her a chance to say no, but we'll see." Making their way to the door, Andy laid a hand on Provenza's shoulder, "

Thanks for everything. Call me this afternoon when she's done?"

"Don't worry, I will."

After closing the door, Andy made his way to the bedroom. As he drew closer, he was glad that he didn't hear the shower running. They had continued to shower together each day under the pretense that he could help her with her hair, but they both knew deep down they enjoyed their intimate time together. As he entered the bedroom, he was surprised to find Sharon curled up on the bed sound to sleep. Lying on top of the duvet, she was still wearing his shirt but she had removed her pajama bottoms. He stood watching her sleep peacefully before quietly turning the bedside lamp off before leaving the room.

Luckily, he suddenly remembered the cinnamon rolls in the oven. They smelled heavenly. Just as he was pulling them from the oven, he heard keys in the door. "Hey, what smells so good?" Ricky called as he entered with Rusty close behind.

Dropping his bag by the couch, Ricky crossed the room quickly, "Hey Andy," hugging him tightly before Andy could even realize what was happening.

"Hey Ricky, Glad you're here, Son."

"Where's Mom?" Ricky asked, as he and Rusty settled in on the barstools.

"She fell asleep about fifteen minutes ago and I didn't have the heart to wake her. Let's give her a little while and then we can wake her if that's okay with you. Now who wants coffee?"

The three of them sat together and enjoyed a quiet breakfast while just making small talk and avoiding the elephant in the room. Rusty volunteered to clean up the dishes, thus giving Andy and Ricky time to talk out on the balcony.

Andy settled into one of the chairs while Ricky leaned against the railing, "So how is Mom, really?"

"She's okay."

"Don't lie to me Andy," Ricky said as he sat down across from Andy.

"I wouldn't lie to you Ricky. She is okay. Could she be better? Yes, absolutely. But, also she could be a hell of a lot worse. So for now, she's okay and for that I'm thankful. Yesterday was a setback, a big one. But you know as well as I do that your mother is strong and stubborn. She will get through this with time."

Ricky sat his coffee cup down on the table beside him, stood and moved back over to the railing again. "I need to know what happen to her, Andy. Emily and I both need to know if what Jack said is true."

"What Jack said? I don't understand."

"Jack called Emily the day after Mom came home from the hospital. He told Emily that…that Mom was raped by that bastard. Of course, he was drunk and he…he was bragging that she…she got what she deserved…"

"That son of a bitch…God! How could he do that to Emily…to you!" It was all Andy could do to keep from shattering his coffee cup with his bare hands.

"So is it true?" Ricky whispered, tears threatening to fall.

Andy stood; walking over to Ricky, he placed his hand on the young man's shoulder, "No. He tried to, but no, he did not rape her."

"You're sure."

"Yes."

"And you're sure that she is telling you everything that happened? Because, she would…would omit certain things…just to protect…"

"Ricky," Andy took him in his arms, "She is going to be okay. She's bruised and exhausted but she's not broken. I promise you."

Ricky stepped back from Andy, "Can I go wake her up now? I…I just really need to see…see for myself that she is okay."

"Yes, absolutely…just…just don't touch her until…until she is awake and knows that it is you. She…she still startles easily."

Ricky nodded as he left the balcony and quietly made his way to his mother's bedroom. Andy stood, looking out over the city, willing himself to calm down. Jack's always been an ass, but how could he suddenly become so heartless? He questioned over and over in his mind.