amop-series #65
A/N: So this is the last part of AMOP and maybe some of you might feel a bit sad about that and maybe wish for it to continue into MC land but I always had Reloaded as the last episode in mind when I wrote this universe and so it feels like a natural end of the story for me. That said I also want to thank each and every one of you for the wonderful support with this universe and the development. It has been a great journey to partake in with all you amazing readers. Love, Iso - and have a wonderful weekend.
/RELOADED/
“Don’t shoot, I’m unarmed,” Andrew Flynn said as he entered Sharon Raydor’s new office, his hip against the half open door so it swung inwards and his hands up with his palms in view, “Wait, I take that back. The safety’s on,” he patted his belt and the side where his gun was securely held, “so, I’m kinda unarmed.”
Sharon looked up. Her posture had been contemplative as she stood in the office that used to belong to Chief Johnson, her hands resting comfortably in the pockets of her blazer. Her eyes had been on her desk and the ratty backpack on it that no doubt belonged to their unruly material witness. Her expression changed the moment it landed on him, leaving room for much to be desired. If Andy had to guess, she looked ready for combat, her eyes narrowing within a second and her stance firmly rooted as she turned around and regarded him with her arms crossed.
“What can I do for you, lieutenant Flynn?” she asked him and completely ignored his attempt at humor. The tone was just short of formal and it carried a snip of tension in it that told him she was feeling particularly aggressive and ready for a confrontation. It was no less than what he expected - even more since he had witnessed the show she had endured with Provenza minutes earlier. Of course she was ready to fight.
“Well, I have patiently stood in line to have a little talk with the boss. She’s been rather busy today but now that there’s an opening, I think it’s safe to say it’s my turn,” he retorted nonchalantly, leaning against the door opening with his shoulder and not really caring that their voices carried out into the break room.
The room was empty bar the little psycho kid occupying a single desk, scowling menacingly at everyone who passed him by. The boy only looked lonely, sitting with crossed arms slung over the desk and glowering. Andy had observed the meaningful looks Sharon had directed at the kid from inside her office, hidden from view and yet not hidden enough. Her expression left enough clues for him, only further enhanced by the way she had tentatively touched the kid’s backpack before Andy had entered her office.
“What do you mean?” she asked, her arms coming uncrossed and one hand landing on her hip. She was regarding him with a wary expression that exuded more and more guilt the longer Andy stared back at her. However much she was gearing up for some kind of heated argument, she still knew that she was in the wrong.
“I mean, I let Provenza give you his piece of mind first and then I let very special agent Fritz Howard help you dispose of the copious candy in your top drawer - and now, it’s undoubtedly my turn to talk to the new boss and offer her my congratulation on the promotion. I’d imagine the top brass offered you the fancy title of commander once the freeze is over? Right?”
“Andy, look,” she started, deflating completely.
Andy quickly interrupted her, “Hey, I don’t blame you. I would jump at the opportunity to get out of the Rat Squad if I were in your shoes. I’m just amazed; I thought you loved all that devil work. I was pretty sure you wanted to police the police for the rest of your life, and not quit and join the other side.”
Sharon rolled her eyes, “Oh, get a grip.”
Andy shrugged, smiling inward.
“What do you want?” she repeated.
“I thought you and I needed to talk. I think it’s rather crucial to our friendship that we talk about your deception or whatever you call this elaborate stunt of yours. Rather worthy of Internal Affairs, I might add. I would applaud you only I’m sort of in the middle of this, you know.”
“It’s been a long day, Andy, and I’m tired,” Sharon said with a glare, “I’m not in the mood for a fight, and stop acting like this.”
Andy shrugged, “Heck, we are all tired - and who says I’m here to fight?”
She pursed her lips, obviously not believing him.
“I just figured we should get it out of the way now instead of later. Before it gets weird, you know.”
“Weird?” she inquired.
“Oh, you know, weird like a certain someone not telling me she’s gotten a major promotion. Weird like someone taking over my division without batting an eye. Weird like how someone just pops out of the blue and wham bam, she’s the boss - that sorta weird.”
She pursed her lips further, “Oh, for Christ’s sake, just go ahead and yell or whatever you feel like. You’ve been waiting all day I can tell. Get it off your chest.”
Andy showed his teeth, happy when the smile unnerved her, “I’m not going to yell.”
“No?” she looked curious now.
“No,” he shook his head, “I am slightly disappointed though.”
Her face fell.
“Andy - ,”
He quickly interrupted her with a chuckle, “Mind you, I’m only slightly disappointed.”
She looked confused.
Andy shook his head, enjoying being able to surprise and baffle her. “Listen, I’ve gotten over my initial shock, okay.”
She raised an eyebrow, “Oh, you mean you got over it when you had the chance to yell at me down in the morgue. I feel I should thank you for blaming me and pointing out my flaws as it concerns to being a homicide detective - I forgot in the whole race of finding our murderer, but thank you so much.”
“I was angry - you can understand, can’t you?” he growled.
Her mouth twisted into an annoyed smile, “Well, thank you honey, for not exploding in full view of everyone.” Her voice was sarcastic to the point of grating, “Thank you for the support.”
Andy shrugged, “I’m a professional.”
At that comment she rolled her eyes in measured slow motion.
Andy grinned and then casually replied, “I was simply giving you some useful tips on what not to do and what to do - such as remembering the names of the victims. Small stuff. Nothing personal.”
She snorted, “Nothing personal, my ass. You got off telling me off - just admit it. And now, what? You want what from me, exactly?”
Andy shrugged, “I am not holding out for an apology if that’s what’s you’re hinting at. I am not that juvenile. No, I wanted to talk, Captain.”
“Okay, well then come in and close the door,” she said, her expression unmoving, “and pull down the blinds please.”
Andy waggled his eyebrows, “Oh, that sounds absolutely naughty.”
“Oh,” she breathed out impatiently, “Just do it and stop antagonizing me.”
“Yeah, yeah,” he closed the door behind him and then closed both blinds, his eyes briefly on the scowl the kid directed at him before the blinds went down.
“That’s a sure charmer out there,” Andy said with a nod to the kid behind the curtain, “I would watch my back with him, beware of those crutches, right.”
Sharon came around her desk and then she leaned back against the edge of the desk, regarding him with a stoic expression. She was not amused.
“Say your piece,” she said, her jaw tense, “Tell me I don’t belong in this division or that you think I’m awful for not telling you about the transfer. Whatever you want to tell me, just say it now.”
Andy sighed and watched her, the crossed arms and the restrained features.
“You are too uptight,” he told her with a smile, “Hell, Sharon, there’s no need to bite my head off.”
Her mouth twisted slightly, the smile wavering until she quickly stomped down on it and her expression once again was motionless.
“I forgive you, Sharon,” he said with another smile, taking a step closer to her.
“I didn’t ask for your forgiveness,” she snippily retorted with a quirked eyebrow, somehow still on the fence.
Andy only smiled wider, amused by her, “I get it, okay. You’ve spent the last couple of days expecting a fight, spent your first precious days as our boss being told off by Provenza, but honey, I’m not some stranger. I get why you didn’t tell me - that doesn’t mean I’m happy with the fact, though. Okay?”
She nodded somewhat half-heartedly.
Andy smiled again. Time to coax something from her; other than raised fangs that was.
He made himself comfortable next to her, imitating her stance against her desk, his upper body turned so he could watch her.
“You see, out of all that has happened, I am more curious about what you told Chief Taylor when you said yes to the promotion,” he commented, mindful of her expression and the surprise that flittered across it.
“There was not a lot to tell our new Chief,” she vaguely answered, her mouth compressed.
“No?” Andy prompted, “So you broke the rules for once and neglected to inform your immediate superior about that little thing you have with a subordinate officer then?”
Her lips twisted into a smile and the smug expression surprised him.
“I don’t break rules, lieutenant Flynn,” she said, the tone sugary sweet.
“No, you don’t,” Andy chuckled, “you use them to your own nefarious advantage.”
Her smile broadened, “I did not need to disclose the information to Chief Taylor seeing I had already informed Chief Pope about the status of my relationship with you.”
Andy stared at her, “You’re kidding.”
Sharon continued, her eyes glinting, “It was Pope who initially offered me the transfer and seeing I had already informed him of my relationship status when I first started the transparency audit on Major Crimes, I did not think it was necessary to bring Taylor into the loop. It’s old news, frankly.”
Andy shook his head and then pouted at her, “That’s a fucking year ago? You told Pope about us a year ago?” Andy paused and then gave her a warm, appreciative smile, “Of course you did, you damn goody two shoes.”
She only smiled.
Andy shrugged, “That’s sneaky.”
“Naturally.”
Andy shook his head again, and then with a little mocking sigh, “So Taylor hasn’t said a thing?”
She shook her head, “No, why would he?”
“Oh,” Andy smiled, “I just figured the snake would have figured us out.”
“Maybe he has, who knows. He hasn’t said a thing.”
“Oh, you just wait. He’s the type to sit on what he knows till it’s to his advantage, and then he will speak his mind,” Andy paused, “Kinda like someone else I know.”
Sharon smiled slyly, “Our new chief won’t trouble us about it.”
“You’ve got dirt on him?” after dissecting her secretive smile, Andy grinned, “Of course you do.”
Andy bumped his shoulder against hers, the touch gentle.
It made her look at him; her eyes crinkled at the corners and her smile warming up.
“So, I guess this means, you’re not breaking up with me, Captain?” he chuckled, his arms crossed. The whole notion of being in same command chain had been a puzzle for him; he had been uncertain if she saw that as a deal breaker.
She looked offended at the notion, “You thought I would break up with you?” her lips pursed and her eyes narrowed, “You cannot handle me being your boss, hmm?”
“I can handle you just fine, and I happen to like you all bossy,” Andy countered flippantly, “but you’ve gotta admit that you have been acting a bit standoffish in the last couple of days.”
“I,” she started uncertainly and then paused, her expression quickly changing to one that resembled mirth, “I am not breaking up with you, you idiot.”
Andy smiled, “Well, in that case, I can freely tell you I am a little displeased.”
She raised an eyebrow questioningly.
“Displeased about?”
“About your secretive attitude,” he said, his tone low.
Sharon quickly leaned in towards him, her eyes wide, “I wanted to tell you, Andy, I really did. But I couldn’t - it just, I couldn’t. I kept procrastinating and then suddenly, it just seemed better to not tell you at all.”
“You were afraid of how I would react?” he wagered.
She nodded, “To some extent, maybe.”
“I can be professional, Sharon. I am only happy for you, you know that?”
“You did not seem particularly happy down in the morgue,” she retorted, her lips in an amused smile.
“Of course not - you blindsided me.”
She smiled sheepishly, “I know, I know. I’m sorry.”
Andy leaned in and then gave her a long probing look, “Just so you know, I have your back - one-hundred percent, okay,” he waited for her to acknowledge his words with a nod and then he smiled, “I’m will show you the ropes so to speak.”
“Oh, please - what ropes? I’m not a rookie, Andy.”
Andy only gave her a cheeky smile, “You kinda are, Rookie.”
“If I hear you call me rookie in front of anyone, I will personally see to it that you will be buried in paper work,” she threatened him with a smirk, her hand briefly on his wrist.
Andy stuck his tongue out, “I promise to only call you rookie when we are alone, yes.”
She laughed, low and gently.
“It’s going to take some time before the rest of the team is on board, you know,” Andy told her, “ - but they will eventually get on board, okay. You’ve never gotten the hang of being in a team, Sharon. I mean, the rat squad is not known for its tight knit team-man-ship. You are used to ordering everyone around - which you will of course do here as well, but being a part of a team I can help you there.”
She nodded again, this time her smile looked surprised, “So, you are going to knock them into obedience, is that what you’re saying?”
“Oh yeah,” he grinned, “I do alright with forcing people into liking you.”
She snorted, “That’s a lie - you’ve never managed to make anyone like me - well, besides yourself.”
He grinned, “I like you - shouldn’t that be enough?”
She looked skyward and blew out a mocking puff of air, “I am not holding a popularity contest here.”
“Whatever,” he whispered close to her ear, his laughter barely contained, “I will still be your most devoted supporter.”
“You are going to be my right hand man, is that what you’re saying?” she teased him but beneath the cheerful tone, he detected the distinct happiness.
“One-hundred percent, I said,” he nodded and then gently took a hold of her hand, turning it around till she grasped his hand.
She intertwined her fingers with his, her smile vivid and just for him. Still she was mindful of where she was, a small hesitant tone to it. He smiled as he watched her look apprehensively at the closed door and blinds.
After squeezing her hand, he let go, “We will figure everything out. No problem.”
“Thank you,” she told him, the tone just above a whisper.
Andy smiled and then with his chin in the direction of the boy outside her office, “You taking the kid with you home?”
She glanced curiously at him, “Yes, it’s only temporary. How did you know?”
Andy shrugged with a soft smile, “Oh, I know you. After those looks you sent his way, I was pretty sure you were gonna make sure he got taken care of.”
“It’s only temporary,” she repeated when she caught his dubious expression, “The boy’s a material witness and he needs to be safe. For the moment that’s with me.”
Oh hell, she was attached already.
Andy shrugged when she continued to look at him, “Okay. Just watch those crutches, huh, and don’t let him steal your infamous collection of tea memorabilia.”
She rolled her eyes, “You are awful.”
“And you love it.”
She smiled.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, lieutenant Flynn,” Sharon said over her shoulder as she went to pull the blinds up. Her voice was formal but the smile was still soft.
Andy gave her a cheerful wave, “Sure thing, Captain.”
“Text me when you get home,” he whispered as she passed him by on her way out of her office, the kid’s backpack in her hands.
Her smile and quick glance at him was answer enough.
Andy shook his head, standing in the door opening and watching Sharon approach the kid.
Working with Sharon Raydor wouldn’t be a problem, far from it. Andy knew how much of an opportunity this was for her - and deep down, she deserved all good things. This, he could gladly help her with. It would be interesting, he thought with a smile. A challenge, maybe.
Andy Flynn liked a challenge.
…
THE END.
/RELOADED/
“Don’t shoot, I’m unarmed,” Andrew Flynn said as he entered Sharon Raydor’s new office, his hip against the half open door so it swung inwards and his hands up with his palms in view, “Wait, I take that back. The safety’s on,” he patted his belt and the side where his gun was securely held, “so, I’m kinda unarmed.”
Sharon looked up. Her posture had been contemplative as she stood in the office that used to belong to Chief Johnson, her hands resting comfortably in the pockets of her blazer. Her eyes had been on her desk and the ratty backpack on it that no doubt belonged to their unruly material witness. Her expression changed the moment it landed on him, leaving room for much to be desired. If Andy had to guess, she looked ready for combat, her eyes narrowing within a second and her stance firmly rooted as she turned around and regarded him with her arms crossed.
“What can I do for you, lieutenant Flynn?” she asked him and completely ignored his attempt at humor. The tone was just short of formal and it carried a snip of tension in it that told him she was feeling particularly aggressive and ready for a confrontation. It was no less than what he expected - even more since he had witnessed the show she had endured with Provenza minutes earlier. Of course she was ready to fight.
“Well, I have patiently stood in line to have a little talk with the boss. She’s been rather busy today but now that there’s an opening, I think it’s safe to say it’s my turn,” he retorted nonchalantly, leaning against the door opening with his shoulder and not really caring that their voices carried out into the break room.
The room was empty bar the little psycho kid occupying a single desk, scowling menacingly at everyone who passed him by. The boy only looked lonely, sitting with crossed arms slung over the desk and glowering. Andy had observed the meaningful looks Sharon had directed at the kid from inside her office, hidden from view and yet not hidden enough. Her expression left enough clues for him, only further enhanced by the way she had tentatively touched the kid’s backpack before Andy had entered her office.
“What do you mean?” she asked, her arms coming uncrossed and one hand landing on her hip. She was regarding him with a wary expression that exuded more and more guilt the longer Andy stared back at her. However much she was gearing up for some kind of heated argument, she still knew that she was in the wrong.
“I mean, I let Provenza give you his piece of mind first and then I let very special agent Fritz Howard help you dispose of the copious candy in your top drawer - and now, it’s undoubtedly my turn to talk to the new boss and offer her my congratulation on the promotion. I’d imagine the top brass offered you the fancy title of commander once the freeze is over? Right?”
“Andy, look,” she started, deflating completely.
Andy quickly interrupted her, “Hey, I don’t blame you. I would jump at the opportunity to get out of the Rat Squad if I were in your shoes. I’m just amazed; I thought you loved all that devil work. I was pretty sure you wanted to police the police for the rest of your life, and not quit and join the other side.”
Sharon rolled her eyes, “Oh, get a grip.”
Andy shrugged, smiling inward.
“What do you want?” she repeated.
“I thought you and I needed to talk. I think it’s rather crucial to our friendship that we talk about your deception or whatever you call this elaborate stunt of yours. Rather worthy of Internal Affairs, I might add. I would applaud you only I’m sort of in the middle of this, you know.”
“It’s been a long day, Andy, and I’m tired,” Sharon said with a glare, “I’m not in the mood for a fight, and stop acting like this.”
Andy shrugged, “Heck, we are all tired - and who says I’m here to fight?”
She pursed her lips, obviously not believing him.
“I just figured we should get it out of the way now instead of later. Before it gets weird, you know.”
“Weird?” she inquired.
“Oh, you know, weird like a certain someone not telling me she’s gotten a major promotion. Weird like someone taking over my division without batting an eye. Weird like how someone just pops out of the blue and wham bam, she’s the boss - that sorta weird.”
She pursed her lips further, “Oh, for Christ’s sake, just go ahead and yell or whatever you feel like. You’ve been waiting all day I can tell. Get it off your chest.”
Andy showed his teeth, happy when the smile unnerved her, “I’m not going to yell.”
“No?” she looked curious now.
“No,” he shook his head, “I am slightly disappointed though.”
Her face fell.
“Andy - ,”
He quickly interrupted her with a chuckle, “Mind you, I’m only slightly disappointed.”
She looked confused.
Andy shook his head, enjoying being able to surprise and baffle her. “Listen, I’ve gotten over my initial shock, okay.”
She raised an eyebrow, “Oh, you mean you got over it when you had the chance to yell at me down in the morgue. I feel I should thank you for blaming me and pointing out my flaws as it concerns to being a homicide detective - I forgot in the whole race of finding our murderer, but thank you so much.”
“I was angry - you can understand, can’t you?” he growled.
Her mouth twisted into an annoyed smile, “Well, thank you honey, for not exploding in full view of everyone.” Her voice was sarcastic to the point of grating, “Thank you for the support.”
Andy shrugged, “I’m a professional.”
At that comment she rolled her eyes in measured slow motion.
Andy grinned and then casually replied, “I was simply giving you some useful tips on what not to do and what to do - such as remembering the names of the victims. Small stuff. Nothing personal.”
She snorted, “Nothing personal, my ass. You got off telling me off - just admit it. And now, what? You want what from me, exactly?”
Andy shrugged, “I am not holding out for an apology if that’s what’s you’re hinting at. I am not that juvenile. No, I wanted to talk, Captain.”
“Okay, well then come in and close the door,” she said, her expression unmoving, “and pull down the blinds please.”
Andy waggled his eyebrows, “Oh, that sounds absolutely naughty.”
“Oh,” she breathed out impatiently, “Just do it and stop antagonizing me.”
“Yeah, yeah,” he closed the door behind him and then closed both blinds, his eyes briefly on the scowl the kid directed at him before the blinds went down.
“That’s a sure charmer out there,” Andy said with a nod to the kid behind the curtain, “I would watch my back with him, beware of those crutches, right.”
Sharon came around her desk and then she leaned back against the edge of the desk, regarding him with a stoic expression. She was not amused.
“Say your piece,” she said, her jaw tense, “Tell me I don’t belong in this division or that you think I’m awful for not telling you about the transfer. Whatever you want to tell me, just say it now.”
Andy sighed and watched her, the crossed arms and the restrained features.
“You are too uptight,” he told her with a smile, “Hell, Sharon, there’s no need to bite my head off.”
Her mouth twisted slightly, the smile wavering until she quickly stomped down on it and her expression once again was motionless.
“I forgive you, Sharon,” he said with another smile, taking a step closer to her.
“I didn’t ask for your forgiveness,” she snippily retorted with a quirked eyebrow, somehow still on the fence.
Andy only smiled wider, amused by her, “I get it, okay. You’ve spent the last couple of days expecting a fight, spent your first precious days as our boss being told off by Provenza, but honey, I’m not some stranger. I get why you didn’t tell me - that doesn’t mean I’m happy with the fact, though. Okay?”
She nodded somewhat half-heartedly.
Andy smiled again. Time to coax something from her; other than raised fangs that was.
He made himself comfortable next to her, imitating her stance against her desk, his upper body turned so he could watch her.
“You see, out of all that has happened, I am more curious about what you told Chief Taylor when you said yes to the promotion,” he commented, mindful of her expression and the surprise that flittered across it.
“There was not a lot to tell our new Chief,” she vaguely answered, her mouth compressed.
“No?” Andy prompted, “So you broke the rules for once and neglected to inform your immediate superior about that little thing you have with a subordinate officer then?”
Her lips twisted into a smile and the smug expression surprised him.
“I don’t break rules, lieutenant Flynn,” she said, the tone sugary sweet.
“No, you don’t,” Andy chuckled, “you use them to your own nefarious advantage.”
Her smile broadened, “I did not need to disclose the information to Chief Taylor seeing I had already informed Chief Pope about the status of my relationship with you.”
Andy stared at her, “You’re kidding.”
Sharon continued, her eyes glinting, “It was Pope who initially offered me the transfer and seeing I had already informed him of my relationship status when I first started the transparency audit on Major Crimes, I did not think it was necessary to bring Taylor into the loop. It’s old news, frankly.”
Andy shook his head and then pouted at her, “That’s a fucking year ago? You told Pope about us a year ago?” Andy paused and then gave her a warm, appreciative smile, “Of course you did, you damn goody two shoes.”
She only smiled.
Andy shrugged, “That’s sneaky.”
“Naturally.”
Andy shook his head again, and then with a little mocking sigh, “So Taylor hasn’t said a thing?”
She shook her head, “No, why would he?”
“Oh,” Andy smiled, “I just figured the snake would have figured us out.”
“Maybe he has, who knows. He hasn’t said a thing.”
“Oh, you just wait. He’s the type to sit on what he knows till it’s to his advantage, and then he will speak his mind,” Andy paused, “Kinda like someone else I know.”
Sharon smiled slyly, “Our new chief won’t trouble us about it.”
“You’ve got dirt on him?” after dissecting her secretive smile, Andy grinned, “Of course you do.”
Andy bumped his shoulder against hers, the touch gentle.
It made her look at him; her eyes crinkled at the corners and her smile warming up.
“So, I guess this means, you’re not breaking up with me, Captain?” he chuckled, his arms crossed. The whole notion of being in same command chain had been a puzzle for him; he had been uncertain if she saw that as a deal breaker.
She looked offended at the notion, “You thought I would break up with you?” her lips pursed and her eyes narrowed, “You cannot handle me being your boss, hmm?”
“I can handle you just fine, and I happen to like you all bossy,” Andy countered flippantly, “but you’ve gotta admit that you have been acting a bit standoffish in the last couple of days.”
“I,” she started uncertainly and then paused, her expression quickly changing to one that resembled mirth, “I am not breaking up with you, you idiot.”
Andy smiled, “Well, in that case, I can freely tell you I am a little displeased.”
She raised an eyebrow questioningly.
“Displeased about?”
“About your secretive attitude,” he said, his tone low.
Sharon quickly leaned in towards him, her eyes wide, “I wanted to tell you, Andy, I really did. But I couldn’t - it just, I couldn’t. I kept procrastinating and then suddenly, it just seemed better to not tell you at all.”
“You were afraid of how I would react?” he wagered.
She nodded, “To some extent, maybe.”
“I can be professional, Sharon. I am only happy for you, you know that?”
“You did not seem particularly happy down in the morgue,” she retorted, her lips in an amused smile.
“Of course not - you blindsided me.”
She smiled sheepishly, “I know, I know. I’m sorry.”
Andy leaned in and then gave her a long probing look, “Just so you know, I have your back - one-hundred percent, okay,” he waited for her to acknowledge his words with a nod and then he smiled, “I’m will show you the ropes so to speak.”
“Oh, please - what ropes? I’m not a rookie, Andy.”
Andy only gave her a cheeky smile, “You kinda are, Rookie.”
“If I hear you call me rookie in front of anyone, I will personally see to it that you will be buried in paper work,” she threatened him with a smirk, her hand briefly on his wrist.
Andy stuck his tongue out, “I promise to only call you rookie when we are alone, yes.”
She laughed, low and gently.
“It’s going to take some time before the rest of the team is on board, you know,” Andy told her, “ - but they will eventually get on board, okay. You’ve never gotten the hang of being in a team, Sharon. I mean, the rat squad is not known for its tight knit team-man-ship. You are used to ordering everyone around - which you will of course do here as well, but being a part of a team I can help you there.”
She nodded again, this time her smile looked surprised, “So, you are going to knock them into obedience, is that what you’re saying?”
“Oh yeah,” he grinned, “I do alright with forcing people into liking you.”
She snorted, “That’s a lie - you’ve never managed to make anyone like me - well, besides yourself.”
He grinned, “I like you - shouldn’t that be enough?”
She looked skyward and blew out a mocking puff of air, “I am not holding a popularity contest here.”
“Whatever,” he whispered close to her ear, his laughter barely contained, “I will still be your most devoted supporter.”
“You are going to be my right hand man, is that what you’re saying?” she teased him but beneath the cheerful tone, he detected the distinct happiness.
“One-hundred percent, I said,” he nodded and then gently took a hold of her hand, turning it around till she grasped his hand.
She intertwined her fingers with his, her smile vivid and just for him. Still she was mindful of where she was, a small hesitant tone to it. He smiled as he watched her look apprehensively at the closed door and blinds.
After squeezing her hand, he let go, “We will figure everything out. No problem.”
“Thank you,” she told him, the tone just above a whisper.
Andy smiled and then with his chin in the direction of the boy outside her office, “You taking the kid with you home?”
She glanced curiously at him, “Yes, it’s only temporary. How did you know?”
Andy shrugged with a soft smile, “Oh, I know you. After those looks you sent his way, I was pretty sure you were gonna make sure he got taken care of.”
“It’s only temporary,” she repeated when she caught his dubious expression, “The boy’s a material witness and he needs to be safe. For the moment that’s with me.”
Oh hell, she was attached already.
Andy shrugged when she continued to look at him, “Okay. Just watch those crutches, huh, and don’t let him steal your infamous collection of tea memorabilia.”
She rolled her eyes, “You are awful.”
“And you love it.”
She smiled.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, lieutenant Flynn,” Sharon said over her shoulder as she went to pull the blinds up. Her voice was formal but the smile was still soft.
Andy gave her a cheerful wave, “Sure thing, Captain.”
“Text me when you get home,” he whispered as she passed him by on her way out of her office, the kid’s backpack in her hands.
Her smile and quick glance at him was answer enough.
Andy shook his head, standing in the door opening and watching Sharon approach the kid.
Working with Sharon Raydor wouldn’t be a problem, far from it. Andy knew how much of an opportunity this was for her - and deep down, she deserved all good things. This, he could gladly help her with. It would be interesting, he thought with a smile. A challenge, maybe.
Andy Flynn liked a challenge.
…
THE END.