Although it had only been a couple of months, Sharon had found her marks quite fast as if she had been living there forever. She had spent weeks enjoying decorating her new home making it the coziest and most welcoming nest for their family. It was what they had become despite the doubts she had felt when they had initially moved in. It now seemed ridiculous to have even doubted for a second that things could go wrong with all of them under the same roof.

They were now less numerous though since Emily and Martha's departure. After a very long and difficult talk, Emily had decided to go back to Utah. Dancing was her passion and she was now safe, Jack being no longer a threat to her life. Though it was obviously hard for Sharon to let her precious daughter go, she was happy to know she had found what she wanted to make with her life and had still a chance to make her dreams come true. The Ballet Company's director had been quite understanding after she had explained to him what had led to so many weeks of absence. He had even given her one more month off so that she could take care of her mother who was still recovering.

Sharon couldn't lie, she missed her little girl terribly. Fortunately, she had her on the phone every few days and had regular updates of her work. Her success had gone wider and wider. She was now famous for her light and delicate steps all around the country. Sharon wasn't too worried for neither her daughter's career nor her health as Martha literally spoilt her. Grandma Martha. She had made the big change so much easier for everybody. As she also needed to go back to her life in Utah – although still willing to be around them from time to time – she had offered to shelter Emily and promised to bring her back whenever she had holidays or was on a break from her performances. Cheerful Martha had happily gone back to her routine, still organizing her famous poker nights. Emily had even learnt to play quite well and enjoyed Tuesday's poker plays with Martha's old friends, just like Sharon did, not so long ago.

Ricky on his end wasn't willing to go back to Utah. Ever. He had made some friends in their new neighborhood and had found a few boys trying to start a business in data security. Computing was his thing and he was determined to work in that area. He just didn't intend to leave the nest just yet. He wanted to wait a few more months to make sure the business would grow enough for him to be financially independent and stable. How amazing. He was incapable of getting himself a nice haircut but was perfectly capable of being wise and responsible regarding his life choices. She had done a good job with both children and she was endlessly proud of them.

It would now be a matter of months before she would find herself living only with Andy. Not that it was a bad thing. Much to the opposite, actually. Life with her soulmate by her side was a complete delight. Even when they had first been together, they had never lived in the same place, even less in a house they owned. It was just crazy how they completed each other. He would build things, restore what was broken around the house, and she would arrange everything nicely. In the kitchen, she would help cut the vegetables, prepare the ingredients while he would happily cook for her and their family. Everything seemed to fit perfectly. They were each other's best half and they had found their pace.

Sharon was feeling much better, both physically and emotionally. She had no major scars left, most injuries now invisible to the world – a miracle in itself. Her panic attacks were now much less frequent, almost nonexistent. She felt more like herself, more confident and less needy or scared all the time. Andy had a lot to do with it. He had been very supportive ever since he had taken her away from the monster – as they had come to call him. She was in a better shape, her figure way fuller than it had been.

Andy always cooked delicious and generous meals for her, her appetite being now fully back. So she had proudly put on a little weight. She wasn't on the fat side either but she was healthy and back to her sensual curves much to Andy's joy. She felt finally sexy again. Of course, Andy had always been very attracted to her and looked at her with desireful eyes, whether she was thinner or not. Nonetheless, she hadn't felt satisfied with her own body until she had found her familiar curves back. Her skin was older though and she couldn't change anything to that but at least it was brighter now that it was fully recovered. Not mentioning that with a fuller figure, a few wrinkles had been filled. She looked pretty good for a woman in her middle-forties when one knew all she had gone through. She was still working hard to be in good shape again but she felt stronger and stronger every day.

Workwise, things were still in progress. She had only recently been cleared to go back to work. She was determined to go back to her job as she felt truly passionate about it and had missed it endlessly. She had almost missed working with Brenda even though she never made her life easy. Brenda and the Major Crimes unit had helped save her life and she was beyond thankful for that. Hopefully they would be a little friendlier to her when she came back.

She had apparently missed on a lot of misadventures. Andy had mentioned accusations held against Chief Johnson and a bunch of problems related to the numerous cases that had somehow made it look like the Chief had been negligent. The leak was yet to identify and Pope had almost begged her to start as soon as she could to help them investigate. Moreover, Brenda clearly needed help to follow the thick Police Department's rulebook by the letter. Only Darth Raydor would fit for the job and they all knew it, including grumpy Provenza. Though it hurt to admit it, the old Lieutenant had changed his mind about her and had started to appreciate her just a tiny bit after all they had gone through together. Obviously he would never admit so publicly.

/

That morning, when the light shone through their bedroom's windows, the house was awfully quiet. Ricky was at a friend's place, Emily and Martha being in Utah, Andy and Sharon were the only ones left in the house. It felt wonderful to enjoy each other as if they were now 24 years ago while it was still overwhelming not to have any kids around anymore – at least for Sharon.

Today was her first day back in duty. Andy felt excited for her, seeing how important it was for Sharon to be back to normal. She loved her job and had missed it a lot, he knew. He couldn't help but feel a little overprotective, hoping that she wouldn't have to be on field just yet. He couldn't imagine having her risking her life again. She was feeling better though, stronger, more like herself. He was well aware that Darth Raydor was still part of her and was dying to come back to the surface. She was ready to kick some asses.

She would still wake up in the middle of the night sweating from a nightmare but as soon as she could find him laying next to her she could calm herself down and get back to sleep. Andy was breath taken by how fast she was managing to progress. After seeing her at her lowest back in Utah, he had been very scared to never see the ever so strong and confident Captain Sharon Raydor. And yet there she was, up for it again, almost healed and stronger than ever. He had fallen in love with her all over again and his love for her kept growing every day. Oh he loved her so much it almost hurt. He had a second chance with the love of his life and he would do anything to make it last forever. It felt right. Finally. He was where he was supposed to be.

As the alarm clock went off, he saw her turn around to switch it off and happily turn again to face him. The sunlight shining on her, made her hair color vivid and her deep green eyes brighter.

- Hey Beautiful… he mumbled, his voice still hoarse from sleep.

- Hey love! she smiled to him. Big day is finally here!

- Yay! He chuckled. It's gonna be great to have you around!

- Provenza might not share your opinion though, she laughed devilishly.

- Who cares about that grumpy fool, he doesn't like anybody anyways.

- Right. And I think I've made a slight progress with him tough. At least he didn't seem to be so annoyed around me the last times he came here.

- Well I think the whole situation with Jack made him change perspectives, although he would never admit it to any living soul, he chuckled again imagining how impossible it was for Provenza to be sentimental even for a second.

Both chuckled, looking forward to find out how their first day together in the same team while being a couple would be like.

- So! Let's get ready for work! Oh I missed saying that… she was happy he could see it in every line of her face.

- Right! I'll go make breakfast so that you can have your shower first, Andy said dragging himself out of the sheets after pressing his lips softly against hers.

How lucky she was! He was so thoughtful. Sharon enjoyed her shower, definitely impatient for the day to start. She knew some unpleasant things would come along but nothing could darken her mood. She was ready to face it all – would it be the annoyed looks of Provenza or Brenda's uncooperating manners or even weird looks from people finding out about her relationship with Andy. She would have it all because her passion for her work could make her forget about all that.

As she dried her clean skin, she picked one of those particularly nice outfits, a red wraparound dress with a V-neck. It fit her perfectly, underlining every curve of her body. She had always loved that color on herself and it matched with her hair so nicely. Not mentionning Andy wouldn't be unpleased either by the pick of the day. She knew him so well that she wasn't even surprised when his arms came around her middle from behind and his mouth romantically met her neck.

- Hey Captain! Looking veeeerrryyy sexy for work today… he whispered in her ear.

Her hands naturally laid on his as she chuckled. Too predictable that Andy guy.

- I know Lieutenant… and I can see someone's very happy about it… she teased.

His hands started wandering, one hand reaching for what her cleavage was revealing and the other on its way to a lower part.

- Andy… she whispered, closing her eyes.

- Sharon… he answered, imitating her, his hands still caressing her.

- We can't be late… it's my first day! she chuckled while enjoying his touches.

- Oh well, who says it'll take that long to undress you Captain?

Sharon giggled in response, knowing exactly where he was coming at.

- Why don't we make a deal, Lieutenant? she turned in his arms, now facing him.

- There she is, Darth Raydor back into action! I'm all ears, Ma'am! he kissed her deeply, then moving lower to her neck, tickling her.

- Oh god… you're making this so difficult… she said gasping.

- Troublemaker, I know, he added proudly.

- Okay, okay! she grabbed his face, stopping him in his tracks. What about we save this hot sesh for tonight…? Ricky just texted… sounds like the house is gonna be all ours again… she gave him a cheeky smile.

- Hard to refuse Ma'am… very hard… he lingered.

- That's the idea, Lieutenant…

She kissed him again giving him a small peek at what could be expected from their evening together. She then ran to the kitchen, giggling, trying to escape hi, knowing he would try to follow her. They were just like teenagers again, foolish and madly in love.

/

They didn't even know how much they had missed it until they heard it again. That sound that had become so familiar. Heels clicking in a steady determined pace. She appeared around the corner of the corridor leading to the Murder Room. Darth Raydor. Neither of them could show an outburst of interest to her for the sake of their reputation. Though they were anything but unhappy to see her back. Major Crimes had seen another side of the ever so unfamous Captain from FID and they couldn't help but open their ranks to include her now as part of their team. Of course, they had agreed with each other, they would still give her a hard time, not willing for her to be too happy about their cooperation. Deep down, they knew something had just changed about their relationship with her. She was different too, 14 years older obviously, but she was softer as well, more reachable than she had seemed years ago.

- Captain Raydor! exclaimed Gabriel.

- Captain Rulebook's here everyone… Provenza mumbled, faking some kind of grumpy mood, in full despair of being caught joyous at the sight of the Captain.

- Hey everyone! she nodded to greet the Major Crimes unit.

To no surprise, Flynn was walking right beside her, hands in his pockets, exuding happiness.

- Hey guys, Andy raised his hand.

- There you are, Cinderella! Provenza threw his hands up in the air.

Andy rolled his eyes heavenward which Sharon laughed to.

- Some things never change… Julio chuckled and made Provenza shrug, pretending not to know what he was talking about.

They were a bunch of old fools but it felt right to be back. After a quick briefing of the case they had just caught, everyone quickly went back to work including Sharon who was thrilled to feel normal again. Pope had called Brenda and Sharon in to welcome her back properly and had officially made a request for her to be included in every case Major Crimes Unit was investigating. It felt odd when Chief Johnson didn't even try to protest. After all, she was good at that rulebook thing and Brenda could use it.

/

Back on duty and already acing it. It had only taken her a couple of weeks to puzzle everything together and understand Sergeant Gabriel's girlfriend was the one leaking the information that had led to so much trouble for the L.A.P.D. While things were still uncertain for Brenda's future in the Police Department, the tensions had seemed to fade and Pope was all satisfied with Sharon's good job. He hadn't even rolled his eyes up when she and Andy had reported officially forming a couple and living together. He had only asked one question. One very annoying question. What about your wife, Andy?had he innocently asked not knowing what he was digging out.

Charlotte. That was a tough question and still a problem to be solved. Andy had gone through all the legal paperwork and had served her with the divorce papers. Only she hadn't been very cooperative. She was in denial about the whole thing and had taken weeks before even acquainting herself with the documents she had been served with. Moreover, since Andy now owned a house with Sharon, she was making a fuss about it and claiming that she, too, deserved a share of the house. She was in for a big dirty divorce, much to Andy and Sharon's disappointment. They weren't particularly in a rush to take the next step but it was still one more obstacle to overcome in their ever so disturbed path.

Sharon was secretly scared for it to dissuade him from eventually marrying her. Old demons. Back when they had first been together – a million years ago – he had expressed to her how scared he was to marry and end up going through a nasty divorce just like his parents had. And Charlotte was just proving him right, unfortunately for Sharon. Anyways, they hadn't even mentioned it yet and she wouldn't put any kind of pressure on him. She didn't even know if was ready to marry again herself. Still, she couldn't help but feel a little bothered by it. She was beyond happy to get to wake up every morning next to the love of her life and a piece of paper wouldn't change anything about it after all. And yet, she still wanted to wear his last name, show the world she belonged to him and no one else.