"Lieutenant Flynn," calls Sharon softly, mindful of the fact that Taylor is likely to be loitering nearby.
"Yes, Captain?" answers Andy readily, following Sharon into her office when she motions for him to do so.
Shutting the door behind them, Sharon flips the blinds shut, her face relaxing into a smile when she's sure that she and Andy can't be seen. "Are you busy tonight, Andy?" she asks quietly.
"No," he murmurs, equally quietly.
"Would you be interested in going for dinner when we're done with the case?" Sharon suggests nervously.
"Sure," replies Andy with a grin, "are you planning on sed-"
Andy is interrupted by Provenza barging into the Captain's office, waving a piece of paper in front of him as he shouts – "We've got him Captain – we've found the sonovabitch!"
"Excellent news, Lieutenant," responds Sharon crisply, arching a brow at Flynn, who has yet to recover from the shock of being so rudely interrupted. "I would like you, Andy and Julio to apprehend the suspect – gently."
"Yes Ma'am," drawls Provenza eagerly, glad that this case seems to be drawing to an end – and after only three days, too.
Once certain that Provenza's gone, Andy murmurs, "seducing me, Captain?"
Laughing gently, Sharon motions for Andy to follow Provenza (lest he get suspicious of Andy's absence) cocking a brow at Andy suggestively as he turns to leave. Taking his leave, Andy mock salutes and follows Provenza's footsteps, shrugging a jacket over his waistcoat as he goes.
Leaning back slightly into her chair, Sharon attempts to focus on creating a list of questions for the suspect's interrogation, as well as drawing up a possible deal to be drafted to the DA's office. Although she still has to run it by Andrea, it's always good to be prepared. Or at least, it would be, if she could pull her mind from thoughts of Andy and the successful dates that had followed their first about a month ago. Sighing, she hopes that this 'sonovabitch' (as Provenza had dubbed him) is the right guy, and that they can finally wrap what had been a relatively straightforward case – until the lead suspect had unexpectedly died, revealing the possibility of co-conspirators rather than a single perpetrator. Rubbing her eyes wearily, Sharon continues to write up her paperwork, hoping to finish all that can be finished before they've questioned the suspect.
It's half past ten in the evening when Sharon finally feels that all questions have been exhausted. By this point, she too is exhausted and silently praying that Andy will notice. Maintaining her façade Sharon strides confidently out of the interview room, leaving the suspect to slump tiredly against the table. Andy follows Sharon out, pausing only to send a menacing smirk over his shoulder as he shuts the door with a decisive click.
"Hey, Sharon," murmurs Andy from behind her, taking her gently by the shoulder.
"What is it, Andy?" she asks quietly, concerned that he might think that she might rescind her invitation for dinner out of anything but tiredness.
"Do you want me to drive you home tonight? You look totally beat, and I'm pretty well caffeinated right now…"
Smiling gratefully, Sharon nods, "that would be great, but I don't want to give you any extra trouble…"
"Would I have asked if it were any trouble?" he smiles kindly.
Laughing tiredly, she thanks him, accepting his offer.
"Shall I wait for you in the break room?" he asks, insinuating that he thinks she should be home sooner rather than later.
"You can come to my office, if you'd like – I shouldn't be too long," replies Sharon self-consciously, realising that she's consciously invited him into her space and has no qualms about it.
Smiling gently, Andy follows Sharon into her office, shutting the door behind them as he does. Noting this, Sharon looks surprised but isn't bothered by it – she reasons that he probably just wants the space to be as private as possible, just in case conversation (miraculously, with her level of exhaustion) ensues. Striding quietly to her desk, Andy helps Sharon to gather her folders, piling them neatly before placing them in her waiting hands. Together, they pack her briefcase much faster than she alone would've done in her current state.
Moving behind her, Andy pulls Sharon's jacket from the chair, waiting for her to slip her arms into it. As she does, Andy massages her shoulders lightly, smiling gently when she sighs into his careful kneading. Turning on her heel, she pecks him lightly on the lips without a second thought, only realising afterwards that they might not be at that stage yet. Grinning widely, Andy is mildly (but pleasantly) surprised. Noting the look of self-consciousness that has overtaken her features, Andy leans in and gives Sharon a lingering kiss, assuring her that, though surprising, it was hardly unwanted.
Smiling lightly to one another, they mutually (and silently) agree that it's time to get Sharon home. Leading the way, Andy holds the door open for her, smirking as her body passes close to his. Andy catches up to Sharon by his desk, lightly lacing his fingers with hers on seeing that the murder room is completely deserted as they walk to the lifts. They ride down in silence, content to enjoy each other's company and comfortable with the quiet: neither one feels that it is uncomfortable or intrusive. As they reach the parking garage, Andy leads the way to his car, swiping his thumb softly over Sharon's soft hand in small, circular motions as he does.
Once they're settled in to the car, Andy doesn't bother to turn on the radio for the drive as he usually would; with Sharon for company (even if she is too tired to talk) he won't be distracted any time soon. They drive in companionable silence until they reach Sharon's apartment block, Andy's hand alternating between Sharon's knee and the gearstick as needed (the other constantly on the wheel). Beside him, Sharon had fallen into a light slumber, and Andy wished that he didn't have to wake her up when they reach her home. As the car stops, Andy presses his hand lightly to Sharon's shoulder, the other chafing her upper arm gently as he attempts to wake her softly.
"Sharon," he calls her name sweetly, coaxing her into a state of wakefulness. She grumbles slightly at his attempt, and Andy can't help but chuckle at the sight of disciplined Sharon Raydor refusing to wake up. "I can't carry you to your apartment," he teases playfully, watching as her eyes flutter open at the mention of being carried.
"Sorry, Andy, I just- " she yawns lightly, mortified that she's been so impolite.
"It's no trouble, Sharon. It was nice to see you sleep for a while," he remarks caringly.
Blushing slightly, Sharon reaches for her briefcase at her feet before seeming to remember something. Snapping upright, she says, "My car's at work."
"Uh, yeah," says Andy slowly, unsure of the source of her tension.
"I'll need to borrow Rusty's car tomorrow morning," she murmurs tiredly.
"No you won't," insists Andy firmly, "tomorrow morning I'll give you a lift to the station, and then you can drive your car back after work."
"But then I'll just be giving you more trouble – again."
"Firstly, it's no trouble," he waves lightly, "Secondly, as your - well, we still need to discuss what exactly I am, but – as we've been dating, I think it's only right that you have certain privileges when it comes to me," he comments playfully. Dodging her (rather weak) slap, Andy laughs before amending his previous statement to: "it's no trouble because it's what I wanted to do."
Smiling gratefully, Sharon bids Andy goodnight, the tiredness showing in her eyes. Catching hold of her hand lightly, Andy pulls her back towards him, dipping his head briefly to peck her lightly on the lips, his other hand reaching to cup her jaw. As they break apart, Sharon gathers her briefcase and exits the car, waving to Andy as he waits for her to safely enter her apartment block before driving away.
Hey guys! Thanks for reading & I hope you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for the great reviews, particularly to those who I can't thank by PM: Maggles and Deb57. If you enjoyed this chapter, please leave a review!