EAD 2017- Being There [Where You Are] 2/3
EAD 2017 Masterpost
Title: Being There [Where You Are]
Author: Elspeth
Fandom/Genre: The Closer/Major Crimes
Relationship(s): Sharon Raydor/Andy Flynn, Brenda Leigh Johnson/Fritz Howard
Content Rating: R
Warnings: Discussion of Crimes, Violence, Abusive Partners, Stubbornness, Injury in the Line of Duty
Summary: Sharon Raydor came online as a guide in a time in her life that was very precarious. Her husband was not accepting, putting it mildly but they made a deal in the end. Her sentinel tailspin'ed for awhile and then did whatever he could to help her. Her side of the deal is coming to an end. Finally.
A/N: Greek Mythology, Unbeta'd, Little Black Dress Challenge RT July 2016
Events in certain parts based on The Closer episodes, "Time Bomb" and "Old Money."
Word Count: 10299/10,000
Part Three
It had been a very long day. Mostly healed due to Sharon's show and tell- hadn't that been something, Andy just wanted to leave this damn hospital. He wanted to properly curl up around his guide; let his nose have the freedom to identify each and every scent on his guide that had tantalized and taunted him for more than a decade, in his own home at a pace suitable to drive his guide crazy; finish bonding with his guide; marry his guide; maybe even take his guide's name; be able to create a real relationship with his guide with neither of them hiding; and of course take down the dirt bag asshole who tried to kill him. Unfortunately none of those things could happen right this very second. Not with Sharon so exhausted from healing him. There was something plaguing him, an idea that he could not stop thinking about and set aside. Regrettably, it was not being able to revel in the fact that he was with his guide, his arms around her and a promise of forever.
"Sharon?" Andy whispered to his guide. Knowing she wasn't asleep didn't mean he shouldn't respect her desire to try to sleep or pretend to sleep. One failed marriage proved that time and time again. Privacy was so easy to be taken away when you were around a guide or sentinel that you had to discover where not to cross the line, and stick to that line no matter what. It still was his ex-wife’s biggest beef with him.
Sharon however, roll over a bit more on him, the hospital bed creaking slightly, and answered his query with a, "Yes?"
Trying to remain as calm as possible, trying to make sure Sharon understood this wasn't an interrogation, Andy answered, still talking quietly, "I have a question to ask about something I noticed you did or rather didn't do while our kids were here and making a fuss. You don't need to answer it but I'd like to know." Andy paused for a bit, with his nose working again, he could tell she wasn't getting upset or stress out, rather she smelled more uneasy and unhappy than anything else.
"About Jack?" Sharon offered.
Nodding, Andy grimaced slightly, his anger over her ex-husband would probably only grow stronger the more he was around Sharon and realized the extent of how damaging Sharon's and Jack's deal had been. Yes, Andy could have Sharon in his life as his guide sooner but it was more that Sharon had needed someone, her sentinel, him, to help here with her gifts. Needed someone other than guide support groups and anchors, though anchors were what help him get through the past fifteen years. Hell, his boss was married to one. His partner was one. "What didn't you tell them?"
"I don't want Emily and Ricky to know. Yes, they are adults and Ricky is on the cusp of coming online since he moved to San Francisco but it would hurt them so much. Meghan and Nicole would know immediately, well Nicole would, once they met him." Andy frowned in confusion. For once, he didn't have any idea or even a guess where this was going. Sharon continued after a brief pause, "Jack is a null."
Oh. Oh. That explained so much. "I'm sorry," Andy offered.
Sharon shook her head slowly. "It doesn't mean anything in particular of course. Guides may not be able to feel nulls but there has been any science proving tendencies to commit crimes or insanity as our society says. They aren't an Apate or Dolos. There are some nulls working in the LAPD who are perfectly fine people. I just cannot say the same about Jack. As much as I would wish to, especially for Emily's and Ricky's sake."
Andy couldn't even imagine coming across someone his senses didn't work on. He had heard of Danai, people almost invisible to the senses of sentinels save sight- but they had been hunted and killed centuries past. To be a guide and not empathetically feel the people around them day in day out, to be married to a null... It must have been hell for Sharon to try and stabilize her gifts when she became active. And to see what Jack had reduced them all to...
"I won't say anything to Emily and Ricky. And I can talk to my kids about keeping it quiet. And if or when your kids find out though, we'll be there to help them out." Andy replied. Now it was time for resting. Then Andy could find out what on Sharon's to do list. Marriage sounded great. His kids were coming by in the morning to "help" him check out and Sharon's kids would meet them at Andy's house. They could all be witnesses.
"Thank you Andy." Sharon said sleepily. Andy smiled and gave her hair a kiss. His guide. Finally the smell of uneasiness left his guide. Her heartbeat slowed and a scent of happiness lulled him to slumber.
OoO
A week later, too short for a real honeymoon Sharon and Andy came back to work. They had a meeting first thing with Sharon's boss, Andy's boss, and their bosses’ boss, to discuss their bond and how it would affect the LAPD. Chief Johnson and Chief Pope were not people Sharon ever wanted to spend any time with in a room with for any length of time. Too much baggage as Emily would put it. Debra would have her back though. So would Andy. Those were pretty good odd.
Though Sharon didn't much like Chief Johnson's at times disregard for the law or Sharon's division, Chief Johnson was loyal and a role model not just for guides, unbonded or otherwise, but critically for women in the LAPD. Sharon didn't have to like Chief Johnson to root for her, but for Andy, Sharon would not try to mind when Chief Johnson became ornery.
Happily, while Andy and Sharon had been finalizing their bond, both of their divisions discovered the culprit behind Andy's attack. A particular Rick Zuman who Andy had put a way behind bars for murder one thirteen years ago. Rick Zuman was lucky Sharon had been distracted by Andy all week to interfere. Only now, Zuman was back in prison, being charged with another murder (senses could not hold up in court without evidence) and a whole host of other crimes, and most importantly, Zuman had nowhere else to go. Miranda guides were not to be messed with. Mother Teresa proved that. Her followers proved the rest.
Parking and walking to their new building with her sentinel in tow was definitely an experience to wonder at. Throughout the years, Sharon never thought she could have this, couldn't dream she could have this. Halting just a bit, Sharon offered her hand to Andy who took it with a smile. Perfect.
Arriving at work was an adjustment. Sharon was not one to her emotions outwardly. In her line of work, any show of emotion was a weakness, officers, officials and the public would use. Enforcing that the LAPD not only was justified in each and every action, but also making sure any guide and sentinel using their senses in the capacity of their work, was complying with the law at all times, was a headache at best. Chief Johnson for example, as a Siren guide, had to have heavy shields raised at all times, especially when questioning a suspect; Chief Johnson to her credit and the credit of all Sirens, had proved without a doubt she didn't need a voice to get what she wanted, she just needed to listen to get justice. Justice, Sharon also strongly believed in.
Noticing Andy's questioning manner, Sharon shook her head and held onto her sentinel's hand. Just because Sharon would need to adjust, didn't mean it wasn't necessary.
She was a bonded guide now. Fact.
Sharon was a Miranda guide. Fact.
Since bonding, both Sharon's and Andy's senses and gifts had grown. Fact.
Sharon and Andy were ready to come back to work. Well... They were here anyway.
They got off the elevator and walked towards Chief Pope's office. Sharon headed directly for the office door but was stopped short as Andy pulled her to a halt. "Andy?" Sharon inquired, but step into his arms when he opened them.
"What do you need, Sharon?" Andy whispered into her hair. Not exactly unnoticeable to other sentinels on the floor. The same shielding used in hospitals was also used in key public buildings and for the LAPD that meant between floors and for rooms like offices and interview rooms. A key reason for LAPD's move to the new building was to bring the force up to state and federal privacy laws.
Andy's question seemed open ended however there was only one answer. "You."
Stepping out of his arms, Sharon gave her sentinel a quiet smile before nodding and starting forward to Chief Pope's office. Build your shields Sharona!
Opening the door revealed a loud argument between Chief Johnson and Chief Pope. Stilling briefly, Sharon continued into the room, her sentinel following shortly to close the door. Quickly observing the layout of the room, Sharon went to stand near her boss, Andy next to her near his boss and Chief Pope behind his desk.
Focusing on Chief Pope, she kept her silence, waiting for him and Chief Johnson to make their moves- they seemed to be bursting to express themselves. Debra beat both of them.
Nudging Sharon's elbow, Debra offered her sincere blessing. "I'm so happy for you Sharon. You too, Lt. Flynn. Congratulations on your bonding."
Chief Johnson quickly rejoined, "I don't like it." At Andy's exclamation, Chief Johnson went on. "Yes, yes, yes, Congratulations Lt. Flynn, Captain Raydor. What about my squad though? Lt. Flynn's bonding does not mean he should be transferred to Internal Affairs!"
Chief Pope just groaned in frustration, "Brenda. As I already have told you. Several times. For the past few days. You cannot, I repeat, CAN NOT have a Captain on your squad along with three lieutenants. Already your squad has too top heavy and your squad is has two officers too many. You've resisted Daniels and Mareno being transferred to Criminal Investigations along with Gabriel. This is not negotiable Brenda. Lt. Flynn will be transferred to Force Investigations."
Ah. Sharon glanced at her boss, her sentinel making Sharon well aware of how he felt. Debra just rolled her eyes at Chief Johnson and Chief Pope and shook her head slightly in frustration. "All morning," Debra mouthed.
Time for an interruption. "Good morning Chief Pope, Chief Johnson," Sharon interjected before the argument could continue. Sharon looked at both till she got an acknowledgement, even if Chief Johnson's was very short and pointed. Sharon not discouraged in the least, continued, "First things first. Our paperwork was submitted yesterday with Human Resources. My name is now Sharon O'Dwyer. I went back to my maiden name."
Andy added, "Flynn is still my last name but I've changed my middle name to O'Dwyer."
Letting that sink in a bit, Sharon addressed Chief Pope first, "Chief Pope, what about my squad? I have a much larger division with twenty-three people, including five lieutenants. Chief Johnson has eight plus Buzz Watson." Turning to address Chief Johnson, "Chief Johnson, if I were to transfer to your squad, I would become your second in command. What about Lt. Provenza?"
Neither of them liked that her rebuttals. Chief Johnson went on to say how she didn't like it again but Chief Pope proposed an alternative. "What about Commander Taylor's Robbery-Homicide Division. There is an opening for both Lt. Flynn and Captain O'Dwyer."
Appreciating Chief Pope's use of her now current surname did not lessen the distaste of the idea of working for Commander Taylor. Yes, he was an excellent employee and cop, but his bias against what he saw as favoritism towards guides and sentinels made him difficult to work with and work for. Sharon looked at Andy to gage his reaction.
Before Chief Johnson and Debra loudly disclaim that suggestion, Andy inserted himself into the debate. "All right. So, Sharon could transfer to Priority Homicide/Major Crimes - whatever it is being called now, I could be transferred to Forced Investigations and last we could be transferred together to Robbery-Homicide. What about this fourth option? I stay in Major Crimes and Sharon stays in Force Investigations and just leave it as is." Not optimal but acceptable with the options Sharon and Andy had. If either Sharon or Andy transferred, Lt Provenza's standing would suffer or Oscar's would. Commander Taylor's squad was to be avoided if at all possible.
A silence reigned, Debra looking pensive, Chief Johnson contemplating but Chief Pope did not look happy with Andy's alternative. "Lt. Flynn, maybe you do not realize how close your suggestion comes with breaking the 25th amendment. Sentinels and guides who are bonded, are not be separated nor discriminated against because of gifts, ethnicity, sex, gender, level of education, career...I could go on. How is leaving you and your guide in separate divisions as you put it, not breaking the law or infringing on your rights. This is a law I happen to agree with. We cannot pick and choose when the law should be applied."
As the 25th amendment was what was going to protect her when it became known she was a Miranda, Sharon did not want to dispute it. Fortunately Andy had a counter.
"Chief Pope," Andy began. "I also agree with the law. However, I am an Artemis rated sentinel. With our bond, there is nowhere Sharon could go, that I would not be with if not in person, then my senses. It's the same for Sharon. Our bond is stable. If that were to change due to our jobs, then yes transferring one or the other or both of us would make sense. Let us try it out this way and see how it goes."
"I would like to add, having more flexibility to work at our separate jobs but close to one another would be appreciated." Sharon furthered Andy's point. "Paperwork for example. Andy may not have an office like I do, but there are other desks I could work at in Major Crimes, when need arises."
"Well Chief Pope?" Debra asked. "I don't want to lose one of my best captains and while I wouldn't mind gaining a lieutenant of Flynn's experience, this sounds reasonable. My bureau could easily adapt."
"My division would adapt as well. If there is any sign of this arrangement interfering with their duties, we can reassess." Chief Johnson voicing her support, however she did not seem thrilled with Andy's proposal, at all.
Sharon waited patiently though she could feel her sentinel's agitation. "I don't like it. Guides should be with their sentinels," Chief Pope finally said, looking at Chief Johnson.
With that comment, tension rose in the room in a very awkward manner. Sharon wasn't going to go anywhere near that metaphorical scent bomb and gave her sentinel an empathic poke, telling him not to say anything. Again, her sentinel was not smooth nor subtle.
Looking at Sharon and Andy, Chief Pope conceded. "All right. We will try it your way. But, let me be clear, any and I mean any issue, change or what have you where your bond, your health is compromised by this set up, we'll be back here again and Commander Taylor will be invited into the conversation. And you'll be signing waivers to this effect. Chief Kosta will be in charge of overseeing this compromise. Yes? Yes. Leave before I change my mind."
Less than a minute later, all four of them stood awkwardly outside Chief Pope's office.
Debra once more spoke first. "How about you two take off? Visit a certified Hera and get your bond rated. That can be one of the ways we measure the success for this setup. I'll meet with Chief Johnson about arrangements and tomorrow we can start fresh. And really, congratulations!"
With that, Andy barely had chance to see if Chief Johnson agreed before they were in an elevator heading out.
Well. When Andy offered his hand, Sharon took it and asked her sentinel, "Sentinel Flynn, after we visiting a Hera, what do you want to do with our now unscheduled day off?"
"Guide O'Dwyer," Andy answered, "would you be amendable to playing hooky, no more plans or paperwork or anything else but you and me?"
That, that sounded lovely actually.
Notes:*
Apate- God/embodiment/personification of deceit, guile, fraud and deception.
Dolos- God/embodiment/personification of trickery, cunning deception, craftiness, treachery and guile.
Danai- Homer's name for the Greeks who had built the Trojan horse.
Siren- Mythological creatures who could lure people to their death by the sound of their voice.
Artemis- God of the hunt + more...
Hera- God of marriages (bonds) + more...
According to Wikipedia.
According to LAPD website, FID is made up of three sections plus an administrative sections for special projects. As, there are 9000 sworn officers and 3000 civilian employees working for the LAPD. 23 officers in FID is a complete guess.