All things considered, being woken up in the middle of the night was the part of the job she had gladly forgotten and really hadn't missed a bit. Luckily it didn't happen all the time, but oh dear! it was hard to dig yourself out of bed when all you want is to stay in the warmth of your partner. Andy wasn't too happy either as he grunted in protest after she lifted the sheets. Then she reported what Chief Johnson had just told her. Their case had taken a major turn and their presence was urgently requested. As soon as she mentioned it also involved a child abduction, Andy rose in a sudden move and jumped into some work clothes piled up on a chair in the corner of the room. In no time, the couple was ready and heading to the murder location.

- Captain, Lieutenant, there you are! greeted Brenda.

- Good evening, Chief. What's up? Any news from the kid? Andy was tense.

- Unfortunately not. Mr. Miller, his father, was found dead in the middle of the road, right behind you, she pointed out with her finger. He had the kid's bag in his hands, there was his name on the tag. Nothing in particular inside, just the kid's stuffed animal and a blanket.

- Maybe Mr. Miller was planning on leaving with his son, Sharon voiced her thoughts.

- Where's Mrs. Miller? asked Andy.

- From what we know, she is on a business trip in Washington and she's travelling back here in the afternoon, Brenda answered quite factually.

- Were they separated? Sharon was trying to collect all the facts.

- Hard to say… officially no, but the neighbors seemed to know they argued frequently and quite loudly. You should meet Provenza and Tao under the tent, they'll show you what we have. I need to check on something with Sergeant Gabriel. We'll meet at the station.

They had to act fast and so far they didn't even have enough information to start looking for the kid. Andy was always very tense whenever their cases involved an abduction mostly when it was about children. Sensitive subject for everyone of course, but he was particularly hard with himself, willing to be efficient and save the kids from any abuse or in the worst cases death. Sharon discreetly squeezed his arm, trying vainly to comfort and relax him. He sadly smiled to her, silently apologizing for being so stiff.

After a detailed explanation of the sequence of events from both Lieutenants, Andy and Sharon had to split each of them needing to do their own job. Sharon headed to the station where she would meet Pope and Chief Johnson to report the details of the case while Andy would go along with Provenza to square the area and see if they could find any clue leading to the missing kid. Both hated to go separate ways and work apart all day although being reunited in the evenings always made it feel more special to touch each other again.

Andy was reassured as long as he knew she wouldn't have to be out there on criminal hunt. Provenza always made fun of him for being so overprotective with her. He knew he was probably overdoing it but he couldn't risk to lose her ever again, he had come too close to disaster.

/

Walking up that long corridor eventually reaching the murder room, she was swaying in a determined pace, willing nothing else but help the team find that poor child; and some sleep wouldn't hurt either. The child was probably terrified. It was morning already and still no clue of him.

She suddenly heard a voice from afar. It seemed like an echo. Weird. She thought she was alone. She stopped in her tracks. She turned around, looking for the voice's owner. Nobody. Absurd. She was probably exhausted. She went back to her swaying only to hear it again. That same voice from afar. She stopped dead, feeling suddenly like she was suffocating. What was happening to her? Her head was spinning and yet she kept looking around trying to locate where that voice was coming from. She could still hear it. Sharon was beyond confused, she couldn't even understand what she was hearing, it sounded like a mumble, barely loud enough for her to decipher that it was a female's voice.

- Captain? Are you okay, Ma'am? Julio showed up from the corner of the corridor and rushed to her side, spontaneously sliding an arm around her waist.

Sharon was surprised at the touch and jumped.

- Oh! Sorry, thank you Detective… I'm fine, I'm just… Sharon mumbled still disoriented.

- Can you walk, Ma'am? I think you should sit for a minute, Julio sounded concerned.

- I guess so, but don't worry I'm fine! she tried to protest.

- You will be, but I want you to sit and have a big glass of water first, he wouldn't take a no for an answer, so she complied.

He took her to the break room and sat her down on one of the chairs, then rushed to the fridge and grabbed a fresh bottle of water. He handed it to her and sat across her. She warmly smiled to him, thankful for all the care he was showing her only because she was a little dizzy.

- It's okay, Detective, you don't have to stay with me, I was just a little dizzy. I'm sleep deprived that must be why, she chuckled, nothing to worry about. You should go back to work, Chief Johnson must be waiting for you.

Julio didn't seem too enthusiastic to leave her alone. So she added:

- I swear, I'm feeling better already, Detective! Thanks again for your help. Go ahead and I'll be right behind you once I'm done with my water here, she offered him a smile again.

- Okay, Ma'am. Just call if you need help.

A few sips of water later, she was back on track and already in the Murder Room, catching up with what the patrol officers had reported from their rounds around the murder location. Provenza and Flynn had just come back as well.

- If we consider all the information we got from the three patrols who drove in the neighborhood of the Miller's house, we have a kid's shoe found a few miles away from where we found Mr. Miller. It was found around a gas station which could mean our suspect had to make a stop for gas or for food maybe, Gabriel exposed the facts and wrote the new information on the white board.

- Buzz, can we have the footage from that gas station? Chief Johnson requested.

- On it, Ma'am. I need just a minute, answered Buzz, getting down to his job.

- Sorry to interrupt, do you have a warrant for that footage? Sharon blurted out, knowing she would annoy everyone.

- Sure, Captain. I knew you would ask… Brenda rolled her eyes up, Lieutenant Flynn, Provenza? Anything more?

- We found a witness living a few blocks away from the gas station: Mrs. Colden. She confirms she saw a man with a little boy she recognized as being Patrick Miller. Apparently the little boy was crying quite loudly in the car and our suspect took him into the little shop to buy him some food, Andy explained while Gabriel kept adding information to the white board.

- She gave us a physical description of the suspect, we're just waiting for the photofit picture to come in and then we'll start looking for a match in our database, added Provenza.

- Did he seem to be dangerous, armed or injured? Sharon questioned.

- Right! Almost forgot! Mrs. Colden told us his leg seemed hurt because he walked with a limp. Thank you for your question, Captain, Andy winked at her.

- Take a room… Provenza mumbled and threw his arms up in the air which got everyone to chuckle.

- Okay guys, got the footage. Not the best quality ever but we could still get a match from our database, Buzz caught everyone's attention.

As they finally had an idea of who was their suspect, they suddenly had a few things to dig into. After deliberately placing a soft touch around her girl's waist and getting a cheeky look from her, Andy went back to work with his very sweet and considerate troublemaker.

/

The day had been quite long knowing their night had been awfully short. But thankfully they were on the verge of finding the little guy. Sharon was able to leave the station by 7 pm as Detective Sanchez convincingly argued to Chief Johnson she was not needed there anymore, at least for the day. She secretly knew why he had done that and she was grateful to be able to catch on some good sleep. Provenza and Sanchez had offered to do the night shift just in case they would get anything new on the little boy. Andy had come home a little later as he had stayed to fill in the paperwork.

He had just texted her saying he was on his way home, so she went to the kitchen to heat up the leftovers. He usually wasn't too hungry when he came home that late but she still liked to make sure he had at least a little something to eat before going to bed.

/

Someone was knocking at their door. Sharon blinked several times, not understanding what she was hearing. What time was it? She yawned trying to fight the exhaustion. The door caught her attention. Someone was now pounding. She took a glimpse at her watch. 2 am. Who the hell could be knocking at their door that late?! As she rose to sit down, she realized she had fallen asleep on the couch waiting for Andy to get home. She looked around for him, suddenly worried he had never been able to reach home. But she let out a sigh of relief when she took sight of him asleep on the couch right next to her. He had even laid a blanket on them. How sweet of him.

Hurried knocks could be heard again.

She decided to wake him up. She was scared, old memories now clouding her. Someone at their door at 2 am couldn't be a courtesy visit. What if something terrible had happened to her children? Or his? Her heart was now beating faster than she thought was possible. As Andy jumped when she shook him a little, he rose and came with her to the door. Now behind the entrance, Sharon squinted through the peephole, then looked at Andy confused. He had a look by himself. Weird. She started feeling faint again, the air not filling her lungs. The voice was calling her. She looked around, her moves sudden and sharp. It was happening again.

Andy instinctively stepped in front of her as the pounds resonated on the hard wooden door. He opened the door. She gasped as she took in the sight in front of her. How could this be happening? How could it even be possible? This was not supposed to happen. Was she still asleep? Probably one of her nightmares again. It was him. She couldn't believe it and neither could Andy. They looked at each other. The nightmare wasn't over yet?

Jack.

Jack was standing on their porch, a wide smile on his lips. The three of them looked at each other for what seemed like eternity. Jack suddenly took a gun out of nowhere and pointed it at them. The gun cocked and two gunshots could be heard. They resonated in her ears so loud she felt deafened by the sound. Andy enveloped her and both of them collapsed together. Sharon clenched his shirt for dear life hearing the voice calling her again. Her vision blurred. Everything was spinning. The lights went out and she let herself be invaded by the darkness, her strength leaving her.

/

Her eyes shot wide open as she gasped for air. She was panting. Pain. It striked her without warning. She groaned suddenly feeling her whole body aching. What was going on? Her mouth felt furry and dry. She was so thirsty. Sharon looked around, not able to put things together. She closed her eyes, trying to focus. Where was she? She didn't recognize her surroundings. It was cold in the room. White walls. After calming down a little, she finally heard it. That very familiar sound. She had been there before. A very regular beep echoed in the room. Her heartbeat. She vainly tried to move but it hurt way too much.

- Mum? Mum! Oh my god, you're awake! Emily rose from her chair and grabbed her left hand.

She could barely move her head, her spine hurting her like hell. Sharon tried to mumble but her voice was very thick.

- It's okay, don't try to speak just yet, mum. You've been through a lot, just relax I'm gonna go get someone, Emily was about to leave when she felt her mother squeeze her hand.

- Wait, she mumbled. Where am I?

- You're at the hospital, mum. Calm down, okay? Everything's gonna be alright.

- What happened? Where's Andy? Sharon couldn't help herself.

- Easy, mum. I'll tell you everything in a minute, Emily sounded calm. Let me just get the doctor for you.

A few minutes later, she was being checked on by a very nice doctor who asked her several questions. She was in good hands, she knew it, but she still had no clue as to what had brought her there. And no one seemed in a hurry to tell her.

- Everything looks surprisingly normal. You're a tough one, Sharon!

- Thank you, doctor, she managed to answer.

- Now what is the last thing you remember from before you woke up in this hospital room? Doctor Bryant calmly asked, smiling to her.

- Well… I'm quite confused…, she answered slowly, articulating the words. I remember Andy and… Jack, her eyes widened.

- It's okay, mum. He can no longer hurt you, Emily caressed her cheek, her voice thick with emotion.

- I know, Sweetheart… I just… we were working on a case about an abducted boy and I had fallen asleep on the couch… Then Andy and I went to the door. Someone was knocking and Jack was there and just… shot us…

- Mum…

- Oh my god! Where's Andy? Was he hurt? She felt herself eaten by anxiety, suddenly understanding that if she was hurt, there was no way he wasn't.

The doctor gave a knowing look to Emily. Sharon was puzzled. Something was going on and it was probably serious because Emily asked the doctor to leave so that she would be able to answer all her questions. What if the worst had happened? She felt her heartbeat increasing again, now expecting a terrible news from her daughter.

- Emily! Tell me already! Sharon couldn't wait any longer…

- Mum, take it easy okay?

- Tell me! Sharon tried to sit up but her body wouldn't cooperate.

- Mum, stay quiet. You were brought here a few weeks ago, Emily explained.

- Weeks?! What happened? she was shaken.

- Do you remember that Jack abducted you at the store?

- Of course! but what does it have to do with this? I mean it was such a long time ago! she really didn't understand what was off.

- Well, he kept you for about a month and a half… Emily kept going carefully, not willing to overwhelm her mother.

- Yes and then Andy came to save me, Provenza was there too. And Jack was shot.

- That's right.

Sharon wasn't following her daughter.

- Then what?

- Do you remember what happened next? Emily asked.

- Yes, I recovered in Utah and Andy stayed there with me for weeks. Then, we all went back to Los Angeles and we moved into our new house and you went back to your dancing with Martha and… she paused, finally taking a look at Emily's face. What's wrong honey?

- Mum… what are you talking about?

Her daughter had no clue of what she was talking about, how could it be?

- What do you mean? You know what I'm talking about, you lived there with us for a few months, even decorated your room!

/

Absurd.

Impossible even. That evening felt heavy on her. Sharon was swimming in infinite sadness and confusion. Her daughter's words still resonated in her head like a broken record. How could she have invented all of it while feeling like every bit of it was as real as their conversation? It just made no sense. She had trouble wrapping herself around it. The marks on her body were very visible and a convincing witness of Emily's saying. "You're in Utah. Andy saved you from Jack a few weeks ago, but you two were shot by him. The bullet went through you. You've been in a coma ever since."

Absurd.

She needed to see him. Andy. Did he, too, believe that what she remembered had actually never happened? All they shared together had seemed so real… According to Emily, he had been hurt too and he needed her by his side. He had come to save her and she didn't intend to go any other second without him around. Emily had said he was fine. He had emerged days before her though and was in another hospital room in the inferior floor. She had to make sure he was alright and see him with her own eyes. It was late, she knew. But it was vital. She needed to see him right now. She pressed on the emergency button and sometime later the duty nurse showed up.

- How can I help you Mrs Raydor?

- Listen, I need to go see Andy right now. He was shot with me and I need to make sure he's alright.

- Ma'am, it's close to 11 pm, I can't take you to his room now. I'm sorry…

- Please, you have to help me… she didn't know if she'd be able to keep her emotions bottled up for much longer. I need to see him! It's very important! Sharon begged. Please!

- Okay, I can write it down on your medical chart here and tomorrow the nurse will take you to see him, would that be okay for you?

- No! that will not be okay! I need to see him NOW! Listen, that man is the love of my life, we've been apart for over 10 years, loving each other for over 20 years and now he's come to save me and he's been hurt because of me, can't you just let me see him for a few minutes? she finally let it out, crying shamelessly.

- I'm gonna see what I can do Ma'am… Can't promise anything though…

- Thank you… she answered still sobbing.

After a quite long wait, the nurse finally showed up again with a wheelchair. Her tears still wet from her outburst, she duly thanked the lady for pitying her. She couldn't care less about the impression she had made, the world could believe she was crazy but all she needed was him. A moment later, she was being pushed through the long and cold hospital corridors towards Andy's room. As the nurse pushed his door open, she could finally lay eyes on him. He looked so small. He was laying on his side, probably fast asleep. The nurse agreed to push her to his bedside but she would only have a few minutes with him before she would have to go back to her room.

As she approached him on her wheelchair, Sharon looked at every line of his body trying to see where he was hurt. He had a bandage around his head and his arm was hanging in a sling. He had probably been shot in the shoulder, she reasoned. What was going on with his head though? When the nurse finally left the room, she took his hand in hers and kissed it. It was warm with life and she could feel butterflies tickling in her stomach. He was alright or at least he would be, she was sure of it. Her man was there and alive. Nothing else mattered. She couldn't help but smile to his ever so adorable sleeping face. Her fingers brushed his jaw, his lips and travelled to his hair where they stayed a little longer.

Unbelievable. It felt like yesterday she was sleeping in his arms, feeling his heartbeat against her back, his face comfortably nuzzled in her hair, his arm around her, ever so protective of her, enveloping her whole figure so that he knew she was breathing peacefully. How could all this be a dream? The fruit of her imagination? She wondered… would he remember anything? Would he want to be with her as she had imagined it in her head? She couldn't picture any other outcome for them. The universe had already challenged them so much that having to fight again for each other wouldn't be fair.

She knew her time was reaching to an end so she decided to gently press her lips to his, taking in everything she could decipher, the sensation, his scent, his warmth, everything. As she was about to leave, she heard him stir and turned around to face him again. He blinked several times probably fighting the light from the little lamp she had turned on to see him better. Andy finally met her eyes. Sharon felt herself so very much alive only by meeting his gaze. With his hand in hers, she warmly smiled to him letting him know she was finally back to him. He looked at their joined hands and finally broke the silence - Who are you? she heard him say.