AN: thank you so much new guest reviewers. I enjoyed reading them so so much!

Other guest reviewer you are right I took on a challenge ( rather said I was set up with a challenge as my friend wanted me to weave in their marriage somehow, LOL) with my decission of having her end up married to Jack. My solution worked for me and I will hope it will work for others as well. If not, then I am happy with how long you were in for the ride. For now Andy and Sharon are still a couple though and that won't happen until part 8. So I guess we will know 1,5 or 2 years from now :D! And I totally agree with you Jack does not understand her, he never has and he never will. Indeed he does not respect her, not as an equal. Yes he is very controlling and manipulative. He just wants her, he does not care what he has to do to achieve that, he loves the idea that he has in his mind about them being the perfect family. Which, spoiler, they won't be. Sharon's decission to marry him will be made with her head and not with her heart. That's all I will say about it for now.

Also a huge thank you to all the regular reviewers! I enjoy reading your comments each week. They put a smile on my face each time.

Disclaimer, these are not my characters, just playing with them. Also I don't know a thing about sonograms and stuff, so be kind. Rated M for violence.

Chapter fourteen

Mark's finger flipped through the pages, going once again over Sharon's blood results. They would really need to have a talk. He'd have to convince her somehow, to take things easy from now on. He just hoped he could get through to her. Mark held the pad against his thigh, while he stepped into the room. For a moment he saw fear in all their eyes. He had already reassured them earlier, but Andy still wasn't out of the woods yet.

"There's no change."

It reassured Diane and Francesca, but Sharon still looked anxious.

"I'd like to talk to Sharon for a minute."

Concern filled Diane's eyes. Mark gently squeezed her shoulder, a tiny smile covered his lips, meaning to reassure her.

Francesca was the first one to head to the door, his wife only followed reluctant. Mark looked over his shoulder, waiting for the door to close behind them, before he turned his attention back at Sharon.

"Is it about Andy?" Sharon was already halfway out of the bed.

"No, now sit back down." He gave her a stern look.

"Daddy I want to see him." Sharon could onky think about Andy, what use was she to him in a hospital bed. She didn't understand why they were keeping her in there anyway. She was perfectly fine. In the mean time they treated her like she was the patient.

"And you will… later. We need to talk first. "

For a moment Sharon believed this was her dad trying to talk to her before he would talk to the Flynn's. That he knew more about Andy's condition thsn he had previously led on. "If you're trying to prepare me for…"

"No this isn't about Andy, it's about you."

Again... when would they let it go? "Daddy I know you're all concerned, but I'm a bit more worried about Andy right now."

"I let them test your blood a second time. Both results showed the same thing."

Sharon only stared at him. What was he talking about?

"They both show you're pregnant, Sharon. It would add up, the dizzy spells, you not feeling well, the high blood pressure."

Sharon shook her head still. "It's stress, that's all."

"Darling."

"I can't be pregnant, I already told you I'm on birth control. So those tests are obviously wrong."

"Do you use other protection as well?"

"Daddy…" Sharon couldn't believe she was having this conversation with her father.

"Sharon with your job there is always a lot going on, maybe you have skipped a few pills. Or maybe you have been sick before. If you don't use anything else, although minor, there is a chance ."

Sharon could not believe it. She wasn't even listening to her father anymore. Was that the reason for her nausea, her feeling different, was it hormones? Had she skipped a pill? She tried to think back. When did it start? Could her father be right? They had been wrapped up in complicated cases. So could she have? No she was always very careful.

"We could do a sonogram. That might be wise anyway, so we can tell how far along you are."

A sonogram? She was still trying to wrap her mind around this thing. This could not be. "Those tests must be wrong." Sharon couldn't think about a baby. Not at this moment, not while Andy was fighting for his life. It was all too much. "The tests must be wrong. That happens as well, right?"

Mark pitied his daughter, seeing the added anxiety. She looked in panic, confused, maybe he shouldn't have told her, not at this moment. Mark hoped it would calm her down, make her think about her own health a bit more, but the opposite had happened. It only added to the stress. So he forced a smile on his face, telling her what she wanted to hear. That the test could be wrong and to be sure he'd bring in someone who could do a sonogram.

SISISISISISISISISISISISISISISISISISISISI

Brian paced the waiting area. Patience wasn't a trait he was born with. He restrained himself to just walk through those doors, which separated the waiting area form the ICU. Just barge through those doors, find his son's room and see himself how he was doing. The not knowing was driving him insane. No one was giving him the answers, he needed, and by now he felt the need to punch something.

"Would you please stop, Brian." Francesca looked up at her husband, who resembled the behavior of a caged animal.

"I can't help it. I can't be calm."

Hamilton smiled, as he recognized so much of Flynn in his father's body language. He had his mother's eyes and there was no hint of Irish in him, but he could see it in his character traits. The impatience, the hot headedness, all his father's.

"They'll come when they know more. In the mean time there's no other choice than wait."

"Where's that Elliot anyway?"

Francesca gave him a look, but Brian only stared back. "He's with his daughter."

Brian felt bad, as he had forgotten all about her. "How's Sharon doing?"

"She keeps insisting it's stress."

Brian for the first time really looked into his wife's eyes. "But you're not convinced."

She sighed. "According to Andy she hasn't been feeling well for some time."

Diane stopped midway, as she overheard andy's mother. "Sharon hasn't been feeling well before all this?"

Francesca closed her eyes, she shouldn't have said it out in the open like this. She bit her lips before turning around, facing a worried Diane. "Andy was worried about Sharon…, my son can be a bit overprotective.."

"There must have been some reason for him to be more worried than usual."

Trying to reduce the damage Francesca smiled apologetic. "He only told me she wasn't feeling well lately, I'm sorry."

It only made Diane more anxious. Mark had tried to reassure her, but she knew her husband. He'd keep things from her, so she wouldn't worry. Not that it really worked, but he meant well.

SISISISISISISISISISISISISISISISISISISISISISI

Mark took Sharon's hand in his, squeezing it, trying to get her attention, pulling her mind from wherever it was. "They'll be here soon with the sonogram machine." There was not really a reaction from Sharon.

Mark studied his daughter, she looked so distraught. "Would it be that bad if the test results would show out to be right? If you'd be pregnant?"

Sharon looked the other way, thinking about what her father said. Would it be that bad? It had not crossed her mind. Being on birth control had made the option impossible. On birth control, because she had been since the moment her relationship with Jack had turned into something serious. It hadn't been the time for a child. She'd been so young. Then they got engaged, but that had not changed matters. Not even when she knew Jack would love the idea of family. Sharon hadn't felt that urge yet. The only thing on her mind her career, her independency. A child didn't fit in either plan. Especially not with Jack, as having a child with him would mean giving up on both.

With Jack the topic of children was a certain way of heading towards an argument. With Andy it had never been. He simply understood. Andy had thought about her, her needs. Maybe thinking the subject would come up later. How different it had been with Jack. Him wanting a wife and children and expected that she would take care of their them. Andy had asked her whether he should use protection. Knowing instinctively that she wasn't ready. Or simply leaving it to be her choice.

Maybe it was because Andy already was a father. Or because everything about their relationship had been slow, deep and intense. Either way they hadn't been thinking about babies. Officially they didn't even live together. It was too much, especially at this moment. What if Andy wouldn't wake up? What if he didn't want any more children? He had already two. They had never even discussed it. What about what it would do to their relationship? What it would do to their jobs? Her thoughts were a jungle now. If only Andy would be here with her, if he would be the one holding her hand instead of her father.

"Sharon, darling? You love Andy, right?"

Sharon nodded. There was no doubt of her love for him.

"And he loves you….You're in a serious relationship aren't you?"

"Yes, we are."

"Then wouldn't you want children?"

"We haven't even talked about marriage, or living together." Sharon felt like the words suffocated her. It was too much. Nothing she wanted to think about. It was something she believed would not have to be an issue until some years from now.

Mark studied Sharon, it looked like she was beginning to hyperventilate. Like she couldn't get enough air to fill her lungs. He could imagine the situation was suffocating her. Already as a child she had a need for independency. Her curious choice of switching careers had been all about that. A strange need to be free. Her break up with Jack had been about it too. Thinking back on it now, it had been an odd situation, their relationship. They'd been engaged, but Sharon would feel uncomfortable if wedding plans were mentioned. She wouldn't move in with jack, in fact she had insisted on keeping her apartment. Maybe the thought of having a baby caused the same kind of anxiety in her. It would explain the strong denial.

Sharon clutched his hand, not wanting him to leave, when the nurse entered with the sonogram machine. She hardly ever needed him these days. Sometimes he longed for the days when she was still a little girl. She'd crawl on his lap, burying her face in his chest. She loved to snuggle up back then. Sharon had been very close to both Diane and him. Even later on. It had been her job at the LAPD, which made her more independent than ever. Which had kept her away from them, put an end to family Sundays. Eventually even caused a wedge between them.

So Mark was grateful that Sharon turned to him now. His thumb rubbed the back of her hand. Squeezed it every now and then. Silently telling her not to be scared, that it would all be okay. And it would be. Even if the test results were right, even if Andy wouldn't make it. It would all be alright. Sharon was a strong young woman and she wasn't alone.

The nurse politely smiled at her father, maybe even her, but it didn't reassure her much. She squeezed her father's hand, wishing Andy would be beside her now. If only she'd gone to the doctor earlier, they could have done this together. Maybe she wouldn't be so nervous then. Andy would have talked to her, put her at ease, tell her it would be all okay. Her dad told her that as well, but it wasn't the same thing.

Sharon looked at the elderly man in the white lab coat, of course he knew her father, there weren't many doctors who didn't. He wasn't her regular gynecologist. Dr. Warren musn't be on call. She preferred a woman, like her mother did as well. She could hardly be picky now. Missing the polite introductions, her mind elsewhere. It was her father who pulled her back to the present.

"Darling?"

She saw the man waiting with the gel. She must have looked bewildered to him.

"It's not going to hurt, only a bit cold."

Sharon forced a tiny smile on her lips, her hands pulling her blouse from her skirt. She looked at her pale skin. There was no physical sign of her being pregnant. She couldn't imagine that under those tight muscles a tiny human being was growing inside of her. No. It was impossible.

She listened to the steady sounds of the sonogram machine, her eyes focused on the ceiling. Not having to look at the screen, there'd be nothing. There'd be nothing, because it was impossible. Sharon didn't care what her father had said about odds, or possibilities. She just had to do this, so it would reassure her father and he'd allow her to visit Andy. Sharon longed to be with him, to simply hold his hand, talk to him, tell him to fight.

Mark saw it before he heard the change of noise the sonic waves made. His eyes immediately switched to Sharon, but she still stared up. It looked like she hadn't even noticed the change in sound.

"Darling?"

"Congratulations."

The cheerful sound of the elderly doctor was eventually what pulled her from her thoughts.

'Congratulations'? Dazed she looked at him, the corner of her eye catching the monitor. Frowning her eyes moved in slow motion towards the screen. The image was constructed by blobs, the inside of her uterus. Her eyes squinted, focusing on the tiny mass that was lighter in color. Slowly the sound was no longer dull in her ears. It was like she'd been under water and slowly emerged. There was a rapid sound and it took a couple of seconds before she realized the rapid sound coordinated with the tiny black dot that blinked inside the tiny mass.

"A strong and healthy heartbeat."

'Heartbeat, her baby's heartbeat.'

That tiny blinking black dot was her babies heart, beating rapidly. The realization hit her so hard that she was instantly woke her up from the state of denial she'd been in. Worry followed fast, taking hold of her. The events of the last weeks passing her mind. Everything her body went through.

"The baby, is it okay? I.. I didn't know."

"Like I said a strong and healthy heartbeat."

"Are you sure?" Sharon fought the urge to grab the man's arm, to emphasize her question.

"Yes, the baby is a bit bigger than I expected, considering you're not really showing."

"Is that a bad thing?" Again worry took hold of her. Thinking about all the throwing up. How she had hardly eaten. Her body was supposed to be providing food for the baby as well. Sharon had not even realuzed she knew so much about babies. Some instict deep inside her taking over.

"No, I'm sure you'll start showing soon enough."

"You're absolutely sure the baby is fine?"

"I'd say you're eight weeks along and so far the baby looks just fine. So stop worrying. Stress isn't good for mother or child."

'Mother'.

Sharon stared at the screen, her eyes watering up. She was going to be a mother, that tiny heartbeat prove of the life that was growing inside of her. Instant love chasing away all the worry and anxiety from before. All the doubts. She knew that in her mind, a baby had been the last of her plans. It did not fit into her ideas for the immediate future. It did not fit into her career plans. Her plans of possible marital life with Andy. A baby was the last thing she had wanted. Not now. Not at this point in her life. In fact a few minutes ago she was so sure about everything she wanted her life to be and a baby not fitting into it. Hearing that heartbeat changed it all though. Sharon wasn't sure how you could change one hundred and eighty degrees in only a few minutes, but she had. She might not have thought about one, but a baby was still growing inside of her. That was not going to change.

"It will be okay." Mark squeezed her hand.

"I know. Could you leave it on a little while longer? "

Mark smiled as Sharon couldn't keep her eyes from the screen anymore. Instant motherly love. He hoped this would convince her to rest as well. Take things slow even with everything that was going on with Andy.

Jack stood nailed to the floor. He had just returned from calling his law firm. After Sharon had collapsed twice, he'd decided he wanted to be near her. If Andy wouldn't make it, he wanted to be there for Sharon. Comfort her, help her cope, show her that there still was someone who loved her.

Although he'd been in the middle of an important case, he still called in to take some days of personal leave. He would have to show her that she came number one to him. That she was what was most important. He'd show her by example, as that was the only way.

Jack paused outside the door, when he heard voices. He didn't recognize the third voice, must be a doctor. Carefully he stood in the doorway, looking in without anyone noticing him. Sharon's stomach was bare, the gel, the monitor. Why would she have a sonogram? Jack remembered very well the discussion he had with Sharon about children. She had been very adamant. Not wanting children, so why was she having a sonogram now?

'Baby'. Did he really hear the word 'baby'? Apparently she was eight weeks along. So she only didn't want to have any children with him. His blood boiled. He'd been willing to pass on this case to be there for her and she was pregnant with Andy Flynn's child, after fighting him tooth and nail on the same topic. Angry he turned around and walked out of the hospital.

Sharon pulled down her blouse, tugging it back into the skirt. She was still overwhelmed by the realization she was going to have a baby. They were going to have a baby. If only Andy knew. What if he would die? He would never know she was carrying his child. He'd never see it be born, grow up. Her heart clenched. That couldn't happen, she could not lose Andy, not now she was pregnant with his child. God couldn't be that cruel.

EN: again please don't leave me reviews saying I told everyone there would be no baby. That Sharon would not be pregnant. That is not what I said. I said that readers at the end of part 5 could imagine Andy and Sharon being a happy little family. And if they wanted it to remain that way, they should stop reading right there.

If you have questions about what will happen after part 5, please send me a pm, if you don't mind to be spoiled.

For all of you who believe this would not be in character for Sharon. True she was not ready for a baby. Is she the kind of woman who would forget taking her birth control? Not in normal circumstances. Their previous case took it's toll on Sharon though. The battle against everyone including her father, Jack. I could imagine that being stressful. Everything that happens after. It is one big rollercoaster. I am a very structured person myself. In control. I could imagine though in this case that I might forget. That is why she seems so sure until actually hearing that heartbeat. I believe it is very much in character for Sharon to have her motherly instinct appear by hearing her baby's heartbeat. That whatever she had planned and any obstacles she might have seen before instantly disappear. She is a very devoted Catholic, so she will embrace motherhood.

If you disagree with my idea of writing in this pregnancy. I can only say read my end note from a few chapters back. Something big in Sharon's life has to happen for certain canon storylines to be weaved in and this is the start of it.

That is why I said if you want your happy ending now, stop reading after chapter 18. You might not suspect it right now, but this is the beginning towards the end. The beginning of them making life alternating decissions, with long lasting consequences.