AN: I enjoyed reading all of the reviews so much, thank you all so much for that. Also thank you guests, loved reading them all. I know I am a day late, but last minute Christmas grocery shopping got in the way. I was in the supermarket when my alarm to post went off and later I forgot about it.

So there will also be a small break in updating this story becausw of the Holiday season. Here in the Netherlands we have a two week break, starting the upcoming week. This means the next chapter will be posted on January 12th. Just so you know and not believe I have stopped uploading. It is just a small break. And I am not leaving you hanging with a major cliff at the end of this chapter. In fact I think you will be happy with the ending of this chapter in particular.

Merry Christmas you all and hope you will all enter 2024 surrounded by loved ones, looking back fondly at 2023 and looking forward to the beginning of a new year.

Disclaimer, these are not my characters, just playing with them.

Chapter sixteen

Mark returned from Andy's room, Diane awaiting him. He knew what her question would be. For days Sharon had been sitting beside Andy's bed. No matter who tried, she wouldn't leave his side. Not even he had been able to get through to her. Mark had told her to be mindful of her own health and her baby.

Sharon still hadn't told anyone about her pregnancy. Insisting he wouldn't tell anyone either. She had even called him upon doctor/ patient confidentiality. Reminding him he wasn't only her father, he had taken an oath as a doctor. Mark wasn't sure if a part of her was still in denial about the pregnancy. Sharon insisted though, she wanted Andy to be the first one to hear he was going to be a father.

At least Andy was stabile now. They took him off the ventilator only the day before, but for now he seemed to be doing as well as could be expected. Not even that news could get Sharon away from him though.

Just now he had found her lying with her head on Andy's bed. Exhaustion finally took its toll on her. She'd been so sound asleep, she hadn't even heard him, when he came to check on Andy's vitals.

"Mark?"

"She's asleep, Diane."

"She should be in a bed, have a good meal."

"I've tried. We've all tried. You and I both know that she won't leave his room until after he's woken up."

Diane sighed. "So how is he doing?"

"Where are the Flynn's?"

"They've gone to the house for a change in clothes. "

After spending the first few days, both day and night at the hospital, they had wanted to go to a hotel. Sharon wouldn't hear of it and neither had they. Sharon had offered them to stay at her apartment, in the end they had agreed to change and shower at their house, probably feeling uncomfortable doing it at Sharon's apartment.

"Has Andy's condition deteriorated? You don't want them to overhear?"

"No, I was just asking. His condition is still stabile. He's doing well breathing on his own."

"Do I hear a 'but'?"

"No, not really, he's doing as well as can be expected. I believe he'll wake up in the next few days. We'll have to wait and see. I just think he will have a long recovery ahead of him though. "

"Sharon will be right at his side."

'Yes she will. "

"Is it bad that I'm glad she'll be here for the upcoming months, instead of being on the street?"

Mark smiled, touching his wife's cheek. "I know.. I've slept well for the first time in months, knowing she's here and not out there with that psychopath preying on her."

Diane wrapped her arms around him, seeking his warmth while she feels his lips kissing the top of her head. They all had been very worried about Andy but for the first time in months she had been able to breathe as she knew for sure where her daughter was and that she was safe.

SISISISISISISISISISISISISISISISISISISISISISISISI

Gunshots, loud and then dull, like a sound in the distance. A throbbing pain in his chest. This burning sensation, until all he could focus on was that elephant sitting on his chest. Every breath escaped his lungs slower, inhaling a task his mind seemed to be unable to comply to. What had happened? His thoughts had been with Sharon. Too pale, obviously upset about something that happened in that courtroom. Raydor, he wished there would be a way to ban him from her life.

While Cohen and Zygerski thought about lunch, he thought about a way to have a moment alone with Sharon to talk about what got her so upset. His eyes had been on the white marble steps, only looking up when he heard the familiar sound of bullets erupting from a gun.

A split second he thought about stepping forward. Protect Sharon, the first instinct that came to mind. His body refused to move though, his knees buckled, no more control. He'd been shot before. He knew how it felt. His body wouldn't comply anymore, while his mind seemed to work overtime.

So many thoughts. Rapid questions following one another in his brain. How? What? Where? Sharon. For a moment he had even tried to move. Stubborn as he believed he'd have to do anything to get Sharon out of danger. Always Sharon. He had felt the need to protect her. It had been like that since their first case together. Instant attraction, although he hadn't known that consciously. Her smile, that beautiful curve of her lips that reached all the way to her eyes, made them sparkle. It was his last thought when he closed his eyes to fall asleep and the first as he woke up. Now it was the last thought, as he felt how heavy his body felt. How hard it became to breathe, a heartbeat that seemed to slow down with every beat it took.

Andy wasn't sure whether it was a figment of his imagination, or if it was really Sharon's voice which was the last thing he'd heard.

It was quiet now. The only sound he heard was a steady beep. Probably the sound of a heart monitor. So he was in the hospital, it would explain the smell of antiseptic that invaded his nostrils.

Andy swallowed. Slowly, a couple of times while his throat felt like sandpaper. He parted his lips, his tongue gliding over his bottom lip. He moved his shoulder but stopped instantly when a sharp pain shot through his chest. He wanted to curse, but no sound came from his sore throat.

Well at least he was alive. He felt the urge to chuckle, it only would induce more pain though. He was alive, but he hadn't been the only target. Sharon. She'd been only one step away from him. Again a searing pain sliced through his chest. One of anxiety this time. Sharon. Andy's eyes snapped open, the beeps of the machine increasing in speed. He moved his head, ignoring the pain, taking in his surroundings. His heart racing in his chest, his heartbeat so loud, he heard it drum in his ears. He bit his lower lip, grimacing while the pain increased with every movement he made.

It felt like someone grabbed his heart and squeezed it. Was it that bullet or anxiety? The beeping slowed down though the minute his eyes caught the pale face resting on his bed. Her fiery auburn hair obscuring half of her face.

The corners of his mouth slightly moved up, in awe as the image of her instantly calmed him. Andy tested his fingers, moving one by one, trying to make his body comply to his mind. He felt the incredible need to touch her, make sure she wasn't a figment of his imagination.

SISISISISISISISISISISISISISISISISISISISISISISI

Francesca looked at Brian, while walking the hospital corridors. He hadn't said much, but everything in his body language told her he felt uncomfortable. There was a gap between the Elliots and them . They were very nice, but they couldn't deny they had entirely different backgrounds. He had felt uncomfortable the moment he'd walked inside the Elliot house. Almost jumped when they'd been greeted by the help.

"They are very nice people, Brian."

"I don't like charity."

"Stop it. We're not some charity project. They want to help, because we are Andy's parents."

"I don't see Andy fitting in there. Our son does not belong to that group. He hates it just as much as I do."

"Just keep in mind that he fell in love with Sharon, despite all that. "

Brian grunted.

"Don't. Sharon is a very lovely young woman. She isn't some snob, Brian."

"They are from two different worlds."

"Haven't noticed much about that since the moment we've arrived. Sharon is very down to earth, kind, compassionate. She doesn't care about appearance. She joined the police force. I don't see some country club girl doing all that. "

Maybe his wife was right. Sharon was indeed a wonderful young woman. He didn't know what got to him all of a sudden. Should he judge her on her parents house? Brian wondered how Andy had dealt with all the differences when Sharon took him home to meet her parents. Love makes you do all sorts of things. Didn't mean love was enough though. Brian could foresee problems in the future, no matter how lovely Sharon was.

Andy was a real man. He was raised to provide for his family. It couldn't be easy to know your girlfriend had more money in her bank account than he had. Sharon might not be bothered by it, but he knew his son. He would want to take care of Sharon and not the other way around.

"They love each other very much, Brian, that's enough. "

Brian sighed, he knew they loved each other, he'd been witness to the love, but unlike his wife he wasn't sure it was enough.

"She's good for our son. He's not the easiest to get along with, but somehow she managed to read him. I see how much she loves him. No matter what happens, she always will."

Brian reached for his wife's hand, maybe he was over thinking it all. Maybe Andy had learned what was most important in life. Learned that sometimes you should chose which battles to fight. Didn't they say that love could conquer all? That young woman hadn't left the hospital since Andy was brought in. She had even refused to leave his room.

"I know she loves him, Franny. She's very strong willed, alright…"

"I guess that strong will caught Andy off guard, when they were partnered up. "

"Yes I can imagine it made him fall in love with her too. We Flynn men are attracted to strong willed women."

Francesca smiles, when she saw the naughty sparkle in her husband's eyes. She recognized a lot of them in Sharon and Andy's relationship, maybe that's why she had so much faith in them being together for the rest of their lives.

SISISISISSISISISISISISISISIISISISISIISISISISIISISISI

Andy's hand shook, something as simple as reaching out to her, seemed to take all his energy. Sharon was deep asleep, probably exhausted. He tried to focus on her ignore the pain, his fingertips glided through the swoop of hair that obscured her face, enjoying the familiar silky feel of it. Gently he tugged her hair behind her ear, so he could have a better look at her face. Andy's fingers lingered, when he saw exactly how pale she looked. For a moment his breath hitched, his eyes quick shifting from her face to her body, his heart rate only slowing down, when he saw the slow rise and fall of her chest. Thank God she was breathing, for a small moment he'd believed this was a bad dream, waking up to see Sharon's lifeless body on his bed.

Andy sighed trying to shake the anxious thoughts he had. Sharon was… No, she didn't look okay. She looked worse than before. She'd been looking pale before. She'd been feeling sick. He knew Sharon had blamed it on the stress, but it kept nagging on him. Andy couldn't shake the feeling there was more to it. He had already been thinking so for weeks. Trying to convince her to go to a doctor, because it didn't feel right to him.

He took a deep breath, focusing on Sharon, on making his arm move, despite of the searing pain. Part of him didn't want to wake her, she looked like she needed this moment of rest. The need to feel her skin, to close that physical distance too strong though.

The back of his hand gently stroke her cheek, a smile curling on his lips, when he heard her soft moan escape her perfect lips. His heart swelled by love. Andy just loved her so much. The pain told him the impact of the shooting was bad. He had so much worth fighting for though. He wanted to grow old with Sharon.

Andy wanted to kiss her, but it already took too much strength to move his arm. Swallowing a few times he hoped he could put some power back in his vocal strength.

"Sharon…"

His voice was nothing more than a hoarse whisper. He strained to cup her cheek with his hand. Grunting when the pain increased. Breathing through he tried to ignore the fire that spread throughout his chest and arm. Grimacing, clenching his jaw until he saw her long black lashes flutter.

Andy loved watching her wake up, always had. It was a brief moment in which he'd see the real Sharon. For a moment her eyes would be all vulnerable, none of the brick walls, she could build up so fast to protect herself against the world, showing.

He smiled when he saw Sharon finally look up at him. Staring, as if she wondered whether she was still dreaming, or if this was the real thing. So absolutely gorgeous. He never got tired of looking at her.

A gentle movement of a thumb gliding over her cheek had woke her up. She must have dazed off. Groggy her eyes had taken a moment to focus. Andy's smile, his hand touching her cheek. Sharon stared, for a moment not feeling her own heartbeat anymore. Time slowing down, the beeping of the machine a dull sound in the background. Was she awake? His lips moved, she must look confused.

At least this time his voice was stronger, it was probably all a matter of practice. Who knew how long he'd already been lying in this bed. Sharon still only stared. She looked so confused. No worse than that. Near her breaking point. He could imagine how scared she must have been. In one look Andy saw exactly how much she loved him. He'd better try again, pull her into reality.

"Hon? … Hon are you alright?"

Sharon swallowed, slowly moving her head up from the bed. She bit her lip and her hand grabbed the bed spread, as she felt a bout of light headedness coming up. She could not pass out, not now.

"Sharon, hon, are you alright?"

His voice sounded stronger, more anxious, a worried frown deepening between his eyebrows. This was real. Andy was awake, he was finally awake. Everything would be okay now. The emotion of that realization overwhelmed her, tears welling in her eyes.

Andy's concern grew. Sharon looked like she could faint any minute. How stupid of him, he shouldn't have scared her like this. Tears filled her eyes, he could tell she'd been so scared. He wasn't sure how to get through to her.

"Hon, come on you're scaring me."

The sounds around her became more clear. Her mind not as fuzzy anymore. She was not dreaming, this was real. Andy was awake. What did he just say?

"I'm scaring you, do you have any idea how much you scared me?"

Andy couldn't help smiling when he heard the hint of frustration and anger in her voice. Sharon was okay. A chuckle escaped his throat, instantly regretting it, punished by his own body.

Sharon had felt the need to slap him, when she saw his so obvious amused face, but then his face grimaced in pain. Quick she got up from the chair, too quick. The room started spinning again and instead of her helping him, he was now holding her up, preventing her from doubling over.

"Whoa, easy…"

Sharon closed her eyes, breathing through the wave of nausea which followed her dizzy spell. It felt good to feel Andy's strong hands keeping her steady. Sharon had been so scared to never feel his touch again.

"I'm calling a doctor."

"I'm fine."

She hadn't been able to reassure him with those words before, and she most definitely wasn't able to now. Andy was about to reach for the alarm button beside his bed, when the door opened.

"She's not well."

Mark looked from Andy's panicked eyes at Sharon, who seemed to have one of her dizzy spells. Andy was holding her up, he shouldn't strain himself like this.

"I'm fine, daddy, I got up too quick."

Mark could tell Andy wasn't buying the explanation, the pain now obvious on his face. He shouldn't be moving yet. Mark doubted whether he could stop him though. Andy was a very stubborn man and right now he was concerned about Sharon. He couldn't blame him either. They all had been worried about her.

"Yes probably that and you bearably eating."

Sharon looked angry at her father, as she could just imagine the way Andy would react to that bit of information. After flashing her father an angry glance, she looked back at Andy.

"Don't look at me like that. You don't have any idea how scared I've been."

All kinds of emotions played out in those emerald green eyes of hers. Andy reached up to touch her cheek, his eyes sad when he locked his with hers. "I know how it feels."

The frustration immediately disappeared from her eyes. Of course he knew how it felt. He'd been at her bedside twice. "I'm sorry…."

Tears began to spill from her eyes, her entire body beginning to shake. Andy took her by her arms and gently pulled her towards him.

"Come here…"

"No.. No I'll hurt…"

"No you won't."

Andy felt her tremble, when he wrapped his arms around her. It hurt like hell, but it hurt him more to see her so hurt.

"Sssh, it's okay. It's over now. It's all going to be okay."

Mark watched Andy hold Sharon, slowly stroking her hair, kissing her at her hairline, making soothing noises, while Sharon couldn't stop crying. She'd been so strong all that time and now she fell apart. He had wondered when it would happen. Quiet he turned around to leave the room .He could get a doctor to check Andy out ,in the mean time they could use some time by their selves.

Sharon felt his soft lips on her skin, while tears rolled down her cheeks. It seemed like the floodgates had opened and she couldn't close them anymore.

"I love you Andy, I love you so much. I don't say that enough."

"Hon, I know how much you love me, believe me, and I love you too, so so much. You don't think I'd leave you, right?"

As Sharon stayed quiet, he cupped her chin.

"I will never leave you, Sharon."

Sharon nodded, her tears subsiding as she slowly laid her head back on his shoulder. Andy kept his arm around her , pulling her closer, his lips on her forehead.

The sound of his heartbeat was calming her. Sharon closed her eyes. Andy was right, everything would be okay now.