A Little Less Old Fashioned

Set after 4.08 (Spoilers) Chapter 1 focuses on what's going on with Rusty but also Shandy. Chapter 2 will be all about Shandy.

Andy stared at the closed blinds in front of him and mentally kicked himself for not going in there with her or at least offering to. He glanced around the murder room and his eyes caught Rusty. He tried to figure out the mix of emotions that he was feeling at the moment. It wasn't that he wasn't proud of Rusty because he was. He had worked hard and truly cared about trying to get some kind of closure for Alice or Marianna as they now knew her real name. There was something else though, something was off. Thirty years of police work and his own life experiences had taught him to detect a guilty conscious when he saw one and he definitely got the feeling Rusty was feeling guilty about something he just didn't know what. He was also worried about Sharon. Notifications were never easy but this one was going to be especially difficult.

He looked down at his watch it was after seven. He glanced over at Rusty who was sitting over at the desk he sometimes used. There was no doubt about it he was feeling guilty about something the look on his face said it all. Andy hesitated Rusty had not been overly enthusiastic about the change in his and Sharon's relationship. Yet Andy knew approaching the younger man was the right thing to do.

"Hey Rusty, this is going to be awhile. Why don't we go grab something to eat?" Andy offered.

Rusty looked up at the older man suspiciously. He hated that he felt suspicious when it came to Andy. Andy had never been anything but nice to him and it was obvious he and Sharon were crazy about each other. He had thought he was fine with them dating, hell he had been the one to point out that they had been dating for a year. Yet, when he saw Sharon dressed to go to dinner the night of their first date he couldn't help but feel sick in his stomach. Then he felt stupid and guilty for that and that made him withdraw from both Sharon and Andy. God, why was he so messed up?

"Rusty, do you wat to eat?" Andy asked again.

Rusty shook his head trying to clear his mind as he gathered up his things.

"Yeah sure, that would be great. We should bring something back for Sharon." He said.

"Of course." Andy said with a smile, not matter what was going on he did not doubt that the boy loved Sharon.

They made their way to the diner across the street. Rusty of course ordered a burger and fries. Andy ordered the veggie sandwich. They say there in awkward silence for a few minutes. Until finally Andy spoke.

"It really was great work Rusty. You did a good thing finding out who she was and her family. You should be proud of yourself."

"Yeah sure." Rusty muttered

"All right, we can sit here and beat around the bush or you can tell me what's eating at you." Andy said surprised at his own bluntness.

Rusty stared at him for a minute obviously surprised too. He felt a smart ass comment begin to leave his mouth and he stopped, Andy deserved better than that.

"Have you ever done something that you knew was wrong but knew it would ultimately get you the right results?" He asked Andy.

Andy let out a slight chuckle, "Yeah, then I met this woman he convinced me that doing things the right way was always worth it."

Rusty fidgeted with his fries a little, "Yeah, I guess I'm still learning that from her."

"Come on kid, what did you do?" Andy asked knowing that he wanted to tell someone.

"I feel like I care so much about finding out the truth about Marianna that I used people and opportunities I was given for my own motives." Rusty paused for a minute," I know what it feels like to be used and I don't like that I did that to other people."

"It's hard sometimes when you feel like finding the truth or getting justice is all that matters and you let those closest to you down in the process. But the best thing to do is own up to it and try and make it right."

"But what if people think less of you or don't want to be around you anymore?" Rusty asked.

"Well that is a chance you take but owning what you did and asking forgiveness usually goes along way with the people that matter. Trust me I have a lot of experience on that one." Andy told him.

"Andy, when I was helping last week when the officers were killed I ran Gus's name as one of the people who called in a tip even though he didn't. I wanted to know more about him before I met him and I used my access that day to do it."

Andy shook his head, "Well, it's certainly not the worst thing a college freshman has ever done but yeah your mom is going to be disappointed when you tell her. Because you are going to tell her or you are going to hurt your relationship with her with the guilt you are carrying around."

Rusty laid his head in his hands, "God, I hate her disappointed look."

"Tell me about it." Andy laughed, "Don't worry though, she's seen worse and still found the good things in the person, trust me. Is that everything?"

"Well, there's this guy." Rusty started checking Andy's face for sings of discomfort and to his credit he found none, "We met and while I was working on this and he was a big help. We've become friends and I'm pretty sure he wants to be more than friends."

"And you don't?" Andy asked praying that his uneasiness wasn't showing. He was approaching sixty and it took him two years to ask the woman he cared about out on a real date and he was about to give romantic advice to someone.

"I don't know how I feel about him so I kind of didn't call or text him for four days and now he thinks I was just using him to get help. It really wasn't that I just am not sure if I'm ready for anything else." Rusty said now feeling uncomfortable.

"Then again, I would just be honest with him. If he cares about you then he should be all right with being friends for a while."

"You mean like seven years?" Rusty laughed

"Well, we weren't really friends those first few," Andy laughed back.

Andy's phone buzzed and he picked it up to see Sharon was calling.

"You OK?" He asked immediately as he answered, "Yeah we are just across the street, We were going to bring you something. Oh, ok see you in a few." Andy said as he hung up.

"Looks like she's going to join us." Andy said and Rusty couldn't help but notice the worried expression he had when he answered the phone was being replaced with a goofy smile.

"You really do care about her, don't you?" He asked Andy.

"I really do Kid. I promise."

"Well just know even if it doesn't always show I am happy for you guys. It's still kind of weird for me but I am happy for you." Rusty said looking down at the table.

"Thanks Rusty. Hey, tonight might not be the best night to tell your mom what you did. Give her a day or two. What she just did will have taken a lot out of her."

Rusty shook his head, "Should I have told Gus myself?"

"No," Andy started, "You did the right thing."

Andy stood up as he saw Sharon approaching the table. He could tell she had been crying and the weight of what she had just done was visible on her. Without thinking or hesitating he pulled her to himself. She laid he head on his shoulder and for a second he smoothed her hair with his hand.

"It's all right" he whispered.

Remembering that her son was sitting there she stepped from his arms but not before smoothing his tie and offering him a tired smile.

"You," She said approaching her son, "I am so proud of you."

Rusty smiled hesitantly guilt still pulling at him but knowing Andy was right that this wasn't the time. "Thanks, I'm sorry you had to do that. Now I think I will leave you two alone. Thanks for dinner Andy."

"Rusty you don't have to leave," She said.

"No, I need to try and catch up with TJ, I owe him an apology."

Sharon smiled, "OK, text me please if you are going to be late."

Rusty rolled his eyes, "Yes, Mom" he said before hugging her quickly. He started to leave but turned and shook Andy's hand, "Thanks again Andy, for everything." He told the older man before leaving.

Sharon settled herself in the chair Rusty had been sitting in, "Is he all right?" she asked.

"He will be, He has a good mom who has put a lot of work into him." Andy smiled reaching across the table and taking her hand. He loved the feel of her hand in his. It surprised him earlier when she had briefly held his before coming into the murder room.

"How are you?" He asked her.

She smiled, "I will be all right. I've got this guy who tries his best to make me feel good."

"Well then how about we get you some food."

As she ate Sharon felt the heaviness begin to lift. Andy made her laugh and she felt the lightheadedness from earlier begin to return. After she finished they walked hand in hand across the street to the parking garage of the PAB. Reluctantly letting go as they approached. Andy walked Sharon to her car and they both hesitated neither wanting to part.

"I guess I will see you tomorrow." Andy said not really wanting to end their evening here in the garage where he couldn't even hug her.

"It's early still, you could come over for a while." Sharon said her flirty smile from earlier returning.

Andy grinned back at her, "Are you sure? Rusty might be gone awhile. We wouldn't have a chaperone."

Sharon rolled her eyes, "Well if you don't think it's a good idea. I guess I will see you in the morning." She said and turned to her car smiling as she felt Andy pull her hand back.

"I will be right behind you." He said with a wink as he opened her door and closed it after she got it.

Andy smiled as he walked to his car thinking that if he was reading her right things might be at least a little less old fashioned after tonight.

TBC

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