Thanks for the reviews/comments. Yeah, the last name thing, I get it, but my Sharon wants to have his last name, simple as that. She's near retirement, knows that her accomplishments won't be just associated with the name. If her last name had still been O'Dwyer, maybe she'd want to keep it, but there would've been a discussion. I wasn't going to really have it be a big thing. On a personal note, my little sister has two girls and both of her families are wanting her to try for a boy, even though she doesn't really want to and they weren't the easiest pregnancies, all just so what, her husband's last name will be passed on, lol, like he's freakin' nobility? jeez. It's dumb, and it may be dumb, but my Sharon just wants to be a Flynn.

And yeah, I would hope Andy was just supporting whatever she wanted regarding the NFL job. He wouldn't have wanted her to take it in my world because that would be way too much time apart, but he knew to keep his thoughts to himself. Especially with Emily.

Season 3 - Episode 8 - after 'Cutting Loose'

July 28, 2014

"So, you got the little psycho through high school." Andy stepped around her on the balcony and sat uncomfortably amidst the plants. "... jeez, all these plants, Sharon …"

"Shut up," she mumbled and smiled, sitting as well.

He wanted to tell her to make him.

"Thanks for coming," she looked back into her condo … people trickling out, the last two being Amy and Buzz just now, congratulating Rusty again. She was so very proud of him. She was so happy that he allowed her to invite people over and was just disappointed that Ricky didn't show. She knew that Em couldn't, but she'd at least called earlier, and would again tomorrow.

"Of course," he responded a little later, having been mesmerized for a moment by her, her smile toward her coworkers and soon-to-be adopted son, the pride in her eyes, her eyes … and her blouse, which was one of his favorites. He was so stupidly smitten, he remembered years ago when she wore it, in a different life when she was just another aggravation. Then he saw disappointment and a little sadness creep up in her expression. That wasn't acceptable.

"What a day, huh?"

She grinned, shaking her head. "How are you?"

He shrugged, smiling. "All of you fawning over Jonny Worth, come on…"

"I saw you give him your card. Andrea didn't, I didn't, Amy didn't. You-"

"Okay, well, I'm just looking for-"

"A consulting job, I know, Andy. You are just …" she gazed into his eyes for a moment, "ridiculous, there's just no other word for it. Good luck with it though." She stood. "You do realize that they want someone to give them policy advice … the rules, Andy … they don't need someone to show them how to skirt them." She pushed her lips together.

He stood and walked over, "They need that, too…"

She took a deep breath in and leaned against the railing.

"Damn plants everywhere," he looked around.

"Roof?" she looked up to him.

"Oh, yeah!" He turned and walked inside.

She smiled and followed.

"Rusty, roof?" The graduate was on the couch, starting up a video game.

"What?"

"Wanna go up?" Andy went to fix something to drink. He didn't wait for Rusty's answer, knowing it'd be a 'no'. "Chips and dip?" he asked Sharon as she put on a light cover up. It definitely wasn't cold out, but could get windy up there. It was a favorite place of hers, and becoming a favorite of Andy's, she realized.

She fixed her drink and joined him as he patiently waited, watching now the video game the kid was playing.

They made it to the roof and looked out, sitting then in their normal comfy chairs … his favorite thing.

They snacked on chips for a bit and just watched the stars, each relaxing a bit … trying not to fall asleep.

"It's hot." He whined.

"You're always hot."

"So," he smiled, "you got three kids through high school. How does that feel?"

She just smiled back.

"Seriously, Sharon, I'm so proud of Rusty. You've helped him change his life, but he's grown so much, still growing," he laughed because the kid was still very, very annoying.

"But not a little 'psycho' anymore."

"No," he looked out.

"And what else did you call him? An ungrateful little shit …"

"Well, all kids are most of their childhoods."

She just shook her head, following his gaze up to the sky. They sat in silence for quite a bit, thinking, enjoying the view … relaxing. She was ready for sleep.

"So, you looked disappointed earlier, when you were thinking on the balcony …"

He always did this. Never confronting her in the moment, but later, when he knew she couldn't get out of talking about it.

She had to think for a moment. She hadn't been disappointed much today. "Oh, well, just that Ricky didn't show. I was really hoping, but he's coming in next week."

"Have you spoken with him about the adoption?"

"Yes. Have you," she arched her eyebrow at him.

He made a face. "Yes."

"I thought so."

"It wasn't a long conversation, just you know…"

She waited.

"... a short little mention, he didn't … let's just say he wasn't as happy about it as Emily."

"I'll speak with him. He's …" she smiled, "he's always been the baby."

"He's almost thirty."

She laughed.

"He doesn't know Rusty as well as Emily does. He has trust issues and is worried about, oh, I don't know … I'll see what he says … he still has some growing to do as well."

"Don't we all?" He knew all of this about Ricky.

"He just needs to spend some quality time with Rusty."

Andy nodded.

"So what else have you been speaking with them about?" She narrowed her eyes to him.

"Confidential."

She smirked. "Jack."

He shrugged, "Emily tells you pretty much everything we talk about, Sharon. She asks advice about … things, with him, yes," he shifted uncomfortably.

"I know, and yes, she does tell me a lot, but Ricky too, now?"

"We discuss some things... alcohol, addiction, yeah. You said you didn't mind…"

"Oh, I don't, as long as you're okay with it."

He nodded.

She met his eyes. "You okay?"

He sighed, "Yeah, just … you know …"

She waited, smiling. She had no idea.

"I'm tired." He lied. Well, he was tired, but that wasn't why he was quiet.

She laughed. "I do know." She stood, ready to get back inside. She held her arms out. "Need a hug?"

"Definitely," he stood to hug her for a quick moment and then brought them around to walk back to the elevator, separating soon after. It was a pretty good day.

He was able to spend time with her. It was a very good day.

Season 5 - Episode 4 - during 'Skin Deep'

July 11, 2016

Rusty had gone to bed after he and Sharon watched the video of the new possible house ... Andy had arrived just after. He settled in close to her on the couch, taking her hand while giving her an apologetic look.

"Andy, you were beyond absurd today. Picking on Buzz for jumping in the pool, all of your implant knowledge and comments … I was so embarrassed for you, sweetie." She grinned.

He laughed, but then hung his head in shame.

She nodded. "Yeah, I wouldn't say anything either if I were you." She bumped her shoulder to his.

"I'm sorry." It was all he could think of to say.

"You should be, a little."

Did she look hurt? He did not like that.

"I am. I'm an idiot, but usually when you're not around." He smiled that smile she loved as he collapsed back against the couch, taking her hand.

She smiled. "Please behave when I'm not around, Andy."

"I will really try to think before I speak from now on, whether you're around or not..."

She laughed. "I'd like to see that."

"Shut up," he said sweetly and kissed her hand.

She cut her eyes at him. "Make me," she grinned and leaned in.

He leaned up and kissed her for a while, pulling her eventually onto his lap. "I love you." He mumbled now against her neck.

"I love you." She giggled, ticklish.

"... and you're a little tipsy, aren't you?" He grinned lovingly up to her.

"Wine earlier … and then later … aaannnnd, I want to go see this house tomorrow." She nodded to the laptop that was still on the coffee table with the video up and paused at the beginning. She laughed because on the screen was Andy, not looking happy at all.

"You look so irritated..."

"Well, Provenza was there …"

She smiled. "Let's watch." She kissed him quickly.

He squeezed her closer for a bit and then released her to sit next to him, excited to see the house again.

She pressed play. "Broken sprinkler …" she hummed. She paused it after he smiled and said 'ta-da'. "You're so cute, look at you."

"Shut up."

She swatted him. "Stop telling me to 'shut up'."

"Sorry."

"Mmmhmmm, play," she ordered.

"See, Jason, my realtor …"

"Mmmhmm… Three bedrooms, yes," she mumbled, "love that window, but what view?! Oh, um … no sound, Andy," she warned, "why did you tell him to mute it?"

She didn't expect him to answer, watching as Buzz showed the flier with Heather on it.

"Mmmmmm," she hummed, disappointed. After a bit, "I do like the kitchen … would update almost everything, though … Rusty doesn't like the floor."

"Yeah," Andy agreed. "Jason said the same…"

"Well if only I could hear," she looked at him.

"Hold on," he nodded to the screen when the sound came back on.

After watching for a bit, Andy not really watching, always distracted by her, she paused it.

"Oh, Andy." She wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning over. He was dumbfounded... not having been listening.

She pulled back and kissed him sweetly.

"Middle age," she mumbled against his lips. "You're so adorable."

He couldn't tell her to 'shut up', so he just rolled his eyes, smiled and kissed her, pushing her gently back down next to him, pushing play again.

"I do love the backyard and pool … I'd swim every day."

She laughed out loud at him. "Think before you speak, honey. You would not even swim once a week, Andy, oooh, there goes Buzz!"

"Terrific and brave," he mumbled.

She gave him a look and grinned. "Shut up."

"Ooooh, you can say it?!"

"Of course, and how horrible you are, throwing the floaty innertube at Buzz, what were you thinking, Andy?!"

"It could have helped."

"I feel like writing you up for that."

"I wasn't on the job!"

She hummed her disappointed hum and shook her head, fast-forwarded it a bit to look at the large shot of the pool.

"I think a pool is a necessity… even if we pass on this house."

"I agree," he pulled her closer. "We'll go see it tomorrow?" He looked hopeful.

"Definitely."

"... and you'd … you'd want to get this house together? Move in together?" He just needed to hear her say it.

She stared at him for a while, smiling. "Yes, Andy," she finally answered as she leaned in to kiss his cheek. "I want to buy a house together. That okay with you?"

He nodded with excitement. Finally.

Season 3 - Episode 13 - after 'Acting Out'

December 7, 2014

Rusty left the car quickly, abandoning his job as the buffer for tonight because things seemed to be going well, in his opinion. The Nutcracker was fine. He actually enjoyed it and didn't mind going, thinking that it would be more awkward than it was, but Sharon and Andy both were good at compartmentalizing, he'd noticed. They were friends first, as Emily had explained to him ... He didn't know that Sharon desperately did not want to be alone with Andy, especially now, so he left them at the car and went in.

Andy opened her door as he always did. She quickly stepped out.

"Thank you."

He nodded, closing the door.

"I'd ask you up, but it's been a very long day." She didn't meet his eyes.

"I uh, yeah, of course, I just hoped…"

See this is what she didn't want. The nerves. This is what she was so afraid of ... "Andy, we'll talk later, okay?" She started walking.

"But I just…"

"Please, Andy," she finally said angrily, "we'll talk later."

She walked away and he let her. Of course he let her … she didn't want to talk. But what if she didn't want to talk tomorrow? Next week? What if this went on for a month? He started feeling a sort of panic set it.

He felt his phone vibrate in his pocket once back in his car. Easier to text, he understood.

'I'm sorry.'

He shook his head.

'You have nothing to be sorry for.'

'I'm not angry. Just, I feel hurt, I guess. Confused a little, Andy. I need to think, be alone, you know?'

'If I could just say one thing?'

'No.'

'Sharon, you can't not let me explain.'

'Oh you've explained yourself into this situation.'

'Let me try to explain my way out …'

'I'm not the one you need to clarify things with.'

He shook his head. 'You're really mad?'

'No. Goodnight, Andy.'

'Night. I'm sorry.'

No response.

It may be a mistake, but he was okay with making it. He had to try. He closed the car door and walked to the elevator. Things couldn't get much worse and he couldn't drive all the way home without at least helping ease her mind a bit. If she'd just give him a chance.

He knocked. Absolutely he was making a mistake. He couldn't not make it. His heart was racing.

Rusty answered, looking confused. "Did you forget something?"

"Hey, where's Sharon?" he peered in.

Rusty pointed up. The roof. Andy turned to the elevator.

Rusty just shook his head and quickly called Emily.

Andy had barely made it over to her on the roof when she brushed past him. She knew that he'd probably do this.

"I can't … talk about this right now." She warned.

"Wait, but … please, Sharon…"

She stopped walking but didn't turn.

"Let me just say what I need to say, please," he begged.

"I can't, Andy," she fully turned to him now, she couldn't hear what he needed to say, scared shitless, as he would say, her heart racing as she desperately pleaded above a whisper, "Don't say it." She wasn't ready. It wasn't time.

He sighed nervously but didn't look away. "Do you trust me?"

She hesitated a moment and of course, nodded.

"I'm not going to say anything you won't want me to say. I promise."

She swallowed, looking away. He may have well just said it. She stopped a smile from forming. He was in love with her. She looked at him again and went ahead and trusted him, motioning with her hands for him to speak.

"I just want … us, for us, Sharon, I just need you to be in my life. Every day. After work," he clarified, making sure to emphasize it slowly. "I can't lose that. This …"

"You won't," she said quickly and stepped forward just a little. It was automatic. She didn't think she could ever be mad enough at him to lose their friendship. She wasn't even that mad when she thought about it, maybe just embarrassed. She felt so stupid.

"I'm sorry about everything …"

She nodded. "Andy, it was more embarrassing than anything, honestly."

"Dating me would be embarrassing?"

"Well not if we actually were, but …"

"I know."

She kept his gaze as she stepped one foot closer.

"Andy, promise me, that you'll keep …" what did she want to say? Keep being you? Keep waiting for me? One day, I'll be ready. She closed her eyes for a moment.

"Sharon?" His hand was on hers.

"I need you, to be in my life, too, Andy. Every day." She spoke slowly, "After work. I can't lose that either."

He nodded, squeezing her hand before regretfully releasing it. He didn't like seeing her like this, flustered, embarrassed … sad, because of him ... she needed time, and he had hope that maybe one day she'd get there, but none of that mattered if he didn't have her here, now, just them. Not walking on eggshells.

Anything extra that developed between them would be just that. Extra. A bonus. Her being worried that he'd profess his love to her, that surprised him. She was at least now thinking about it, so his hope strengthened. He knew he needed to be careful, though. She needed him to wait. He could do that.

She followed him to the elevator and gave him a hug before she got out on her floor. "Talk tomorrow?" She asked, pulling back.

He smiled. "Yes, please."

She smiled and walked to her door, listening for the elevator to close behind her, bringing him finally to his car to leave. She was now annoyed that he showed back up when she wanted to be alone, but, she took a deep breath in before she entered the condo, he was right in doing so.

Friends. Very good friends. It was agreed. He would not tell her … she sighed. Thank goodness he didn't tell her. She still smiled, though.

She opened the door to Rusty laughing on the phone.

"Who's that?" It was nearly eleven at night.

"Emily." He was still laughing. She reached for the phone, bringing it to her ear quickly.

"Hey."

"Hey, Mommmmyyyy, how was the Nutcracker?"

"I don't want to talk about it," she eyed Rusty, who smiled. "Goodnight, Rusty." She took his phone with her back to her room. He knew she'd bring it to him before she went to bed.

"Mom, what the hell?"

"I'm sure Rusty told you everything."

"Yes, but I want to hear what you're thinking."

"I'm trying not to. I just, Andy and I just spoke, things are fine. We explained to Nicole that we are just very good friends and …"

"Isn't work going to be awkward, now?'

"I don't think so … I'm, I'm going to just slow down and … see."

"Is there more, for him … Mom?" Emily knew that there was, but she also knew that her mother had to come to that realization in her own time.

"Have you spoken with Andy about this?"

"No, Mom. We have not spoken about any kind of romance going on between you … or his feelings for you … we aren't that close, and he knows that I'd tell you …"

"Would you?"

"Of course, if you … if you wanted to hear it. Mom, he loves you, as a friend. Maybe more, but I wouldn't know … you would … you said you two just spoke?"

Sharon sat on her bed. "He said … our friendship is the most important thing …"

"Okay…"

"Em, he didn't say, but it's more than friendship for him."

"Maybe …"

She closed her eyes.

"But not for you? I asked you earlier if there was more for you … you did not answer."

"I don't want to think about it."

"You may have to. What if he asks you out on a date date?"

"He wouldn't."

"What if he wants to, but doesn't because you 'don't want to think about it'?"

"Emily, I am not ready for that …"

"Okay."

Sharon sighed loudly, laying back on her bed. "I still have Rusty's phone."

Emily laughed. "I'm sure he misses it. Go to sleep. Don't think about this. Give it time, and like you said, go slow and pay attention. Watch Andy and really try to … maybe give some thought to … him, being with him. Mom, you know it could possibly … be great."

Sharon hummed her 'I dunno' hum.

"Love you, Mom. Keep me updated." She could hear the smile in Emily's response. Though her daughter wouldn't outright say it, she did want her to 'date date' Andy. Emily wasn't surprised at the misunderstanding by Nicole. She had seen the two of them together longer than Nicole had, and knew how important their friendship was, for the both of them, so she understood the apprehension.

She also saw the way Andy looked at her mother, speaks about her mother, protects her mother, and is so proud of his friendship with her mother. He just needed to wait a little longer, and that is what she would tell him if he ever asked her. Emily doubted that he would get the nerve to ask her, but hoped, regardless. She would like to speed this up for them, but knew that she'd just push her Mom too much. She'd rather sit on the sidelines for this one.