an: An update today. I have been enjoying to read all of your predictions. Some of you hear weddingbells and see diapers in the foreseeable future. I have smiled a few times, and I won't tell you why. I can't because that would spoil things. Thank you for the reviews. I haven't found the energy to answer them all, like usual. Sorry for that, but I have enjoyed seeing familiar names and reading your thoughts. I would like to welcome Thaleis von Paris, who left me a lengthy comment, which was just what I needed on this for me, gloomy day. So I decided to post a new chapter today. Hope you will enjoy it during these difficult times. Please, all stay healthy and safe!

not my characters just playing with them.

Chapter six

Andy smiled at Sharon from the kitchen.

"Don't tell me you're not hungry after last night."

Sharon's lips curved.

"Pancakes?"

"One please."

"You need to eat well we have a long day ahead of us."

"We can grab lunch later."

"Yeah we can. Lucky for you I know the best places around this town."

Sharon hadn't paid a lot of attention to the tour around town, when she was still in the Academy. The first of her patrol days had been about where to go for free lunches, free dry cleaners. Apparently the people in town were very eager to help a police officer. She had felt uncomfortable back then. A 'thank you' shouldn't be needed, they chose to do this job. When she had voiced her discomfort, after insisting on paying in a diner, they had accused her of being a snobby little rich girl. Not everyone was so lucky to have daddy's allowance to fall back on. They told her she had embarrassed the diner owner as well.

She had felt relieved when she'd gotten the opportunity to work within the Homicide division. They still had field work, but not being out on the streets day in day out. She didn't know how to behave, the language, poorly aware she didn't fit in.

"Sharon?"

Andy looked questioning at her, she wondered whether she had missed his question.

"Your pancake is getting cold."

She smiled apologetic, using her fork and knife to dissect the small golden pancake in eatable squares.

"What's bothering you?"

It was stupid to think about the time she didn't fit in. Andy was her partner now. He knew her, he understood her. He'd pay at a diner, because he felt it was the right thing to do. Because like her he made the choice to become a police officer out of love for fighting what was right.

"It will all be fine. The LAPD has declared open season on this guy. He'll be caught in a matter of days."

Sharon wasn't too sure of that. The killer had acted like a cat in the night, been invisible like a ghost. She had a bad feeling about it all.

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There was a buzz at the station, as if you could feel the adrenaline pumping through everyone's bodies. The death of a police officer felt like a threat to everyone working there. All leaves had been revoked, it was hard to imagine so many people working there. It was strange to see the increase of patrol cars on the streets. And the police officers were angry. Anyone coming in their way was arrested, tempting them almost to resist their arrest. Sharon's eyes had widened, frozen in her step as an officer slammed the guy he had arrested into the wall. Andy's hand had pressed on her back, urging her to move on, walking to their car, to start their round.

He was so much better in dealing with this. Sharon couldn't stop feeling on edge.

Andy saw her staring out of the window. A lot more quiet than he was used from her. He laid his hand on her upper leg, gently rubbing it, squeezing it. In the car they were alone, under no one's scrutiny. No one to judge Sharon, or their relationship. Sharon continued to stare out of the window. She was probably on edge, because she never experienced this before. Of course there had been others killed in the line of duty, but never directly targeted like this. He'd seen her reaction in the hallway before, something she would call police brutality and the officers acting out on frustration and anger.

"When one of us is targeted, there's a certain kind of tension building up from anger and frustration. Think about it. We want justice, that feeling is even stronger when one of us is targeted. "

"Blind rage can lead to disaster."

Andy briefly met her eyes, as she finally looked at him.

"It could lead to more deaths. You don't think straight in anger, it affects your instinct, your intuition, things we have to rely on."

Andy knew that all too well, before Sharon came along, he had a serious anger management problem and it got him into trouble more than once.

"Hm-mm, I agree. I promise I won't do anything stupid. And I know my partners middle name is calm, so.."

That earned him a smile. Sharon knew he was right. She didn't have to worry over Andy losing it. He was able to restrain himself just fine. She sighed as her shoulders slumped.

"So, what's the plan?"

"Visit one of my contacts. I know he's sold some weapons from under the counter in the past."

"Do you believe he's still having this side business?"

"No, he's turned into an honest citizen, but he might know who's still in the business."

Sharon nodded, it sounded like a sensible step.

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Deciding to let Andy do all the talking, as this was his contact, Sharon studied him. She loved that jovial grin on his face. The way his eyes sparkled like a naughty little boy.

"Nigel, my man. Long time no see."

It didn't matter whether Andy smiled, the man seemed nervous by his presence, maybe even had hoped to never see him again.

"Flynn, indeed it's been a long time."

Sharon saw him fumble with his fingers.

"We need to have a talk."

"Hey, I'm an honest man these days. A good honest citizen."

The man rambled, causing Sharon to raise her eyebrow. The ones who were so quick to say that they were honest citizens, probably weren't squeaky clean.

Nigel's heart beat faster, Flynn's presence making him nervous, but the woman who came in with him was even worse. Her green eyes burning, the scrutinizing way she raised her eyebrow. Maybe she was from the income tax bureau. She looked the part with her jacket and shiny black high heels. She didn't believe him, he could tell. She must know.

"Look I might have been a bit creative with the numbers of my income taxes, but I'm sure we can work something out."

Her eyes squinted, giving him the feeling he wanted to run. Desperate he looked at Flynn.

"Come on Flynn, you know me. I'm not a bad guy. Lady he can vouch for me."

"Is that so?"

"Come on, Flynn, since when do you work with the tax bureau anyway? I thought you were in homicide."

"Still am. Just accompanying Miss Elliot."

Nigel bended over to him. "Don't leave me alone with her."

Andy frowned, so he could keep himself from laughing. Nigel seemed a bit frightened of Sharon.

"I might be able to do you a favor, if you will do me a favor."

He whispered. "That stare of hers, she looks like one of those pit bulls."

"I know her pretty well, if you know what I mean."

Sharon wasn't sure whether she liked Andy's grin and accompanied wink.

"Hey I'll do whatever you want me to. "

With a smile on his face Andy turned to Sharon.

"Why don't you wait in the car for me, hon. I'm sure Mr. Hammond here is able to clear some things up."

She raised her eyebrow again, when he called her 'hon'. Slightly pissed, as he was behaving like a true macho. For a moment she stood there, staring at him, until she decided this was for the greater good. Without a word she turned to walk out.

"You sure you two are close, she didn't look so happy there. I don't want this to reflect bad on me."

"Don't you worry, she's .."

His sentence was cut short as he heard gunfire.

'Sharon'

He should have stayed with her. Don't leave your partner. His heartbeat in his throat as he ran out of the shop

Sharon had just opened the car door as she heard the gunshots. She bended through her knees for cover, her eyes scanning the surroundings. Sharon couldn't make out any immediate threat. People were running in panic, screams, still she could only hear her own heart pounding loud in her throat. Which mad man would get into a gun fight while the town was literally crawling with police?

"Sharon?!"

She looked over her shoulder towards Andy. He had his weapon drawn.

"I'm fine. I don't believe it was here, it was nearby though."

Andy clenched his teeth, entering the car, while Sharon did as well.

'To all units. This is Officer Petry, I need assistance. We're under fire, I repeat we're under fire…'

Sharon heard the panic in his voice, distracting her from hearing their location, or Andy.

"Sharon."

He touched her leg to get her attention.

"Call dispatch, we're nearby, we'll head over."

She nodded, willing her hand to stay steady as she reached for the radio, cleared her throat, so her voice wouldn't tremble.

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Both of them jumped out of the car, weapons drawn, relying on their training, their instinct and each other. Andy went out in front. It wasn't even something they would discuss, Andy went up in front, Sharon would have his back.

The sound of another gunshot, a lot closer this time. Images of that other night flashed before her, the sound the same, only this time it was broad daylight. It sounded like the bullet came from the same riffle.

As they rounded the corner they saw the two patrol officers, one in the car opening, the other in the distance, just as a black hooded figure disappeared from sight.

Andy moved forward, while Sharon crouched down beside the patrol officer. Her fingers sought a pulse, although his eyes had a blank stare, the stare of the death, making his blue eyes even paler. It was the eerie way they clouded over with this white mist, like it showed like that how the soul had left its body.

There was no pulse, still she stared. She might forget names, she was terrible remembering names, but she was good with faces. She knew him, they'd been at the academy together. They probably both had been.

Sharon couldn't move, only stare, until another gunshot got her out of her haze.

'Andy.'

Her heart raged. She was supposed to have his back. Adrenaline shot through her body as she sprinted down the alley. Her heartbeat frantic, as she saw Andy on the ground.

"Andy !?"

Sharon raised her gun, seeing the black figure in the distance. She fired her gun, knowing the distance was too big, she fired it anyway. That guy wouldn't turn around again and shoot at them. She couldn't go in pursuit, not without Andy. He might need help. He'd probably kill her himself, if she would.

When she was sure they were safe, she turned back to Andy.

"Andy?! Andy?!"

He frowned, grunting as he heard Sharon's panicked voice. She might need him. He dove down when the guy fired. The pavement a lot harder than he had calculated.

"Andy?!"

Sharon came closer. Was he hit? She sounded like he was. Andy pushed himself up by his hands, his bones sore. That would be bruises tonight.

She was so worried, her heart did not stop racing, although she saw him get up on his hands and knees. He might be shot anyway. He was stubborn enough to get up. Andy saw the panic in her eyes, as they shifted left and right, inspecting his body, searching for bullet holes, other injuries. Her eyes tearing up as she realized he was okay.

"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry, I was supposed to have your back."

"Looks to me like you did, hon."

Sharon shook her head. He hadn't seen her this upset before. Her face paling more each minute that passed. Andy's frown deepened, taking her face in both of his hands, trying to calm her.

"You did fine, hon."

"They're…they're…"

"They're dead, I know. We were already too late when we arrived. There was nothing more we could do."

"I was distracted.."

Andy pulled her in his arms, feeling her tremble.

"A few seconds."

"Long enough for him to shoot at you. What if…"

"Nothing happened, Sharon."

"But.."

"And nothing is going to happen."

Andy rocked her in his arms, gently squeezing her neck , until they heard the sirens of their back up.

Four police officers shot in just a matter of days. It could be either coincidence or someone was targeting them. Hunting them . All the time they were questioned by Internal Affairs, Andy kept his eye on Sharon. It wouldn't surprise him if this was the same guy and that he would have the audacity to return to the crime scene, make more victims. The first shooting happened in front of a cop's bar, it was clear he felt cocky enough to attack them on their turf.

These days he acted on instinct, as it came to being close with Sharon, while they were at work. These were different circumstances. Andy put his hands on her shoulders, as he approached her from the back, rubbing them as he wasn't sure how far she would allow him to go.

Sharon stared at the patrol car, the door on the passenger side still opened. Blood sprayed on the window. Officer Petry had been shot twice, in his abdomen, but the fatal shot entered the back of his head, in what looked like shot in execution style. It was new information, this guy targeted cops to execute them. If this was the same guy. Sharon seemed convinced of that as well.

Andy pulled her against his chest.

"Let's get you home."

Sharon shook her head unable to turn her sight away from the patrol car.

"I'd feel better if you'd let me take you home. You look really pale, I'm worried about you."

"I'm fine.. .It's just…"."

As she remained silent he let go of her and walked in front of her. His finger tilting her chin as her gaze wouldn't leave the patrol car.

"Look at me."

Sharon swallowed, fighting her tears, or looking directly in Andy's eyes.

"I knew them, they were in my class at the Academy."

It was a whisper, a tremble to her voice. He didn't care who surrounded them, who watched them, he took her in his arms and held her as tight as he possibly could.