It was the end of a grueling and tiring business day after chasing their suspect on the run for several blocks along Venice Boulevard before successfully tackling him to the ground for a handcuff and his arrest when Chief Johnson called Lt. Flynn. He was in the middle of reading him his Miranda Rights when his cellphone rang.

Quite irritated with the importune time the call came, he pressed the hands-free button while his phone remained clipped to his pants.

"Lt. Flynn," he said in between catching his breath after the long marathon and dragging the hand-cuffed suspect to his car.

"Is this a bad time, Lieutenant?" came in the Georgian accent.

"Go ahead, Chief, what is it?" he said.

"Can you come back to the station? I need something very important to discuss with you," she said.

"I'm actually on my way with the victim's brother who tried to evade the police," he explained.

"When you get back, have Lt. Provenza and Det. Sanchez take over the case so we can have a talk in my office," she said before hanging up.

Andy wondered what was very urgent that he needed to transfer the case he was handling to another officer. His curiosity was gnawing by the minute. He wondered if he had done something again that entailed him for another IA investigation. He was beginning to get used to his quarterly date with Sharon Raydor. Or was he in for a transfer? He certainly hope not. He was happy and contended staying with Priority Homicide.

What urgent matter could it be that it t could not wait the business? With his curiosity growing by the minute, he immediately endorsed the handcuffed suspect to Julio and briefed Provenza on the update of the case before purposefully going to Chief Johnson's office.

"Good afternoon, Chief. I came back as quickly as I could. Is there something you need me to do?" he said nonchalantly.

She looked somewhat uneasy and quite uncertain. Attempting a few times to begin but could not seem to find the right words, a far cry from her usual direct to the point and assertive manner, which alarmed Andy, his anxiety growing, and a look of concern for Chief Johnson washing over him. Maybe he should be worried about himself and not about Chief Johnson, but he couldn't help it, her trepidation was evident. She shouldn't worry so much in her delicate condition. It was precisely why everyone on the team was working hard- to get some load off her.

"Is anything the matter, Chief Johnson?" he asked kindly.

"Is there something I could do?" he continued.

She exhaled and flashed him a contagious smile.

"Well… Lieutenant… now that you've mentioned it," she began, working her charm on Andy.

"Please, have a seat," she said.

Andy watched her in curiosity as she started her prelude with her big smile, amassing his interest in what she was about to say.

"I have spoken to Chief Pope about this… You know I'm three months pregnant right… and it's an extremely difficult pregnancy… you know I was sick all the time and there was a threatened miscarriage. I was even ordered bed rest for almost two months."

"What are you trying to say, Chief?" he asked, prompting her to continue.

It's not as if he had anything urgent to do once he got home. He was, after all, a divorced bachelor and there was no one waiting for him after work, but if he did not push her to go straight to the point, they were going to take forever… she just loves sharing about her pregnancy which he perfectly understood being her first at forty-two, but his extreme curiosity was, what does his chief's pregnancy got to do with him.

"Well, you know I just recently got back on duty after my two months bed rest and the seminar slash team building of the police area heads is in four days. I was not given clearance by my doctor to travel. I was hoping you can go in my place…" she said in one breath.

It was a lot to absorb at the moment. First, all participants will be discussing their own respective topics and he would only be reviewing Chief Johnson's presentation for two days, and the seminar will be in Iguazu Falls, Brazil for a week, meaning he would miss the Dodgers Game and Provenza's 63rd birthday. Why the seminar of Department Heads is on the other side of the world is beyond me.

"Pretty please, Lieutenant," pleaded Chief Johnson.

"I would have sent Provenza but it might take him longer to learn the slides and he is usually grumpy and might snap at officers asking questions. Besides, you've got excellent presentation skills. I've got to send the best in my department."

He knew it was his duty to follow when he was given an order, and he really did not have a choice in the matter and when Chief Johnson pleads with her girlish antics, he just couldn't say no. He looked at her eager smile and twinkling eyes and wondered if this is how she got away with everything.

"It's not like I have a choice, Chief," he said.

"I want you to know, I appreciate this, Lt. Flynn," she said, looking like a big weight was lifted off her shoulders.

"I will speak to human resources first thing tomorrow."

She flashed him an exuberant smile as she fixed the things on her desk, preparing to go home.

Her husband Agent Howard of the FBI was suddenly by the door of her room to pick her up.

And upon seeing him she fell into his embrace in a good mood.

"I'm all set, Fritzi," she said.

He returned her hug and gave Lt. Flynn an acknowledging nod.

"Have you told Lt. Flynn?" he asked.

"I sure did, and he said yes," said Brenda, her good mood not dwindling.

Agent Howard gave Andy a friendly tap on the shoulder while still hugging his wife in the crook of his other arm.

"Thank you, Lieutenant. I appreciate you taking one for the team. You know how delicate her pregnancy is. She's not allowed to travel, and she shouldn't overexert herself.

Andy returned the friendly pat. "No problem, the chief can always depend on me."