A/N: Hi guys! I know. I'm so sorry! It's been weeks since my last update. I've been so pre-occupied by work. But I wanted to say thank you to all the wonderful reviews, favorites and subscriptions to this fic. You really know how to boost a writer's confidence. Reviews and suggestions are welcome.

CHAPTER 3

It's been years since Sharon had her heart broken. 20 years ago to be precise. The moment when Jack Raydor finally walked out on his family, Sharon swore that it would be the last time her husband will crush her heart as well as their children's. Sure, he came in and out during the next few years but she felt nothing more than indifference and disappointment.

Now, staring at herself in the mirror, who would have thought that at this stage in her life she would feel the same pain again? She said it was a bad idea. It would blow up in their faces. It wouldn't work. Well, who's the fool now? They hadn't pursued it but the result is still the same. It was awkward. It was painful. Andy kept trying to act as normal as possible around her. The man is nothing but a gentleman. Granted, he didn't sought her out to explain about the donut incident. But he didn't have to. He can date whoever he wants. Just not her. And that is her problem. He isn't interested anymore. But she is. Damn it.

Well, here goes nothing.

It was really late to drop by but Sharon and Andy had developed a relationship that it doesn't matter how late it is, one of them always has time for the other. Smoothing down her coat, Sharon pushed the doorbell and waited. He will be pretty surprised to see her given the late hour. But at this point Sharon doesn't care anymore. This is the giant step that she should have taken a long time ago. She's not scared anymore. As long as Caroline isn't his girlfriend yet (god, how juvenile does that sound?) Andy Flynn will be more than just her friend and colleague.

Hearing the lock click inside, Sharon fixed a bright smile on her face as the door opened and revealed Andy on the other side of the house. Surprise written across his face, Andy exclaimed "Captain!"

Deciding to ignore his use of her rank, Sharon shoved her hands in her pockets and grinned sheepishly "Hi. Are you busy?"

"Oh. Uh—" Andy still hasn't moved from the entrance. He was about to say something when a voice from inside the house interrupted him.

"Andrew, honey, who is it?"

Sharon froze. She would never forget that voice. Eyes wide, she saw regret in Andy's brown eyes. Pain she never knew possible coursed through her body. She wanted to run far away from him. But her feet wouldn't move. She was stuck just standing in front of him. Their eyes not leaving each other. Why does it have to be this painful? She couldn't shake the misery that is slowly taking over her entire being. She never felt like this when she and Jack separated or even after the divorce. She had two decades to overcome whatever feeling she had for her ex-husband. She wanted the porch to open up and swallow her whole. Maybe she won't feel anything as she descend into oblivion.

A woman was in his house. Someone who could potentially be sleeping with him. Someone special. Someone who is not her. If she was asking for a sign, this is probably it. Give up before she makes a fool out of herself. Who is she kidding anyway? She is his boss. She can't make the first move. He should. He did. She declined. Now, he has Caroline. So much for hoping that it's nothing serious between them. A woman does not stay this late at a man's house unless things already progressed into a more permanent level.

Before she was able to turn around and leave, Caroline appeared behind Andy. Sharon could see the surprise in the woman's eyes for a second but she smiled cordially and waved. "Captain Raydor! What a pleasant surprise! Andy didn't say he was expecting a visitor." Andy winced at the word. This is terrible.

Caroline squinted at Andy and playfully tapped him on the shoulder. "Why are you making your boss stand on the porch? Seriously Andrew." Rolling her eyes, she turned to Sharon again. "I'm so sorry Captain—"

Sharon shook her head. "No, it's okay. I just needed to get something from Andy but yeah, it can wait until tomorrow." Wow. That is probably the lamest excuse in the history of excuses. "I'll just go—"

"No! No! No! Why don't you stay for a while? We just finished making dinner and I had no idea that Andy literally cooks for 20 people. We can't possibly eat them all."

Sharon tried to hide her grimace and looked at Andy. He hasn't said anything yet and at this point, she was praying to God that he will just let her leave. She couldn't possibly stay and eat dinner with them. That is self-imposed torture and she prefers to wallow in her pain alone. She doesn't need to see how perfect this woman is for her lieutenant.

Andy Flynn stood dumbfounded while her girlfriend tried to invite his boss to dinner. Damn it. What did he do to warrant this punishment? He could see that Sharon was already uncomfortable and given the chance, she would just bolt and run away. But he can't think of a reason that wouldn't make Caroline suspicious. It would be hard to explain why he let his boss leave without inviting her in.

Sharon knew the exact moment that Andy decided her fate. She's seen him do it before. A deep breath, a soft smile and a warm gaze. This is terrible. This is a bad, bad idea. She should just say something like Rusty needing her—

"Please come in Captain. I'll get the case file for you after dinner." Despite the awkwardness, Sharon saw that small glint of mischief in his eyes. So he's buying in to her story. Well, things couldn't get worse than this right? She'd rather have his friendship than none at all.

Turning her eyes to Caroline, she gave a small smile, "Okay. But let me tell you, you guys don't need to invite me in and please call me Sharon. "

Shoving Andy aside, Caroline opened the door wider and let her in. "Oh nonsense Cap— I mean, Sharon. If only we can invite the entire team so we could finish all the dishes that Andy cooked." She took Sharon's coat and hanged it by the door. Caroline kept talking to her all throughout dinner with Andy chiming in when necessary. Sharon's finding it rather difficult to dislike this new woman in Andy's life. Caroline is so nice and friendly. She's beautiful. She's got long legs. Andy likes long legs. She can carry a conversation like a pro.

"I kept asking Andrew to fly with me to New York to meet my parents."

That pulled Sharon out of her internal reverie. Andy meeting Caroline's parents? Just how long have they been dating? It's not even six months! Sharon tried to maintain a passive expression as she raised her eyes and met Andy's. Silently telling him that she can't do this anymore. They have been able to read each other's expressions and she's hoping that he would this time. Dinner is definitely a bad idea. At this point, she'd prefer getting shot than sit another minute with them.

Sensing Sharon's discomfort, Andy stood up. "I'll get those files for you Captain. It's getting late and I'm sure Rusty might be worried." Leaving the table quickly to retrieve a make believe file upstairs, Andy hopes to talk to his boss tomorrow and explain. It's not a total disaster per se, but he could see how difficult it is for Sharon to sit there with them. Quickly scribbling something on a piece of paper, Andy grabbed the nearest folder and slipped it inside.

"Here you go captain." Sharon reached for the folder and clutched it to her chest.

"Thank you Andy."

"No problem, Captain."

And there they are. Standing shoulder to shoulder looking at her with soft smiles on their faces. Even their heights difference complement each other. Seriously. She really needs to find something to hate about this new woman in Andy's life.