Sorry it's taken so long to get Episode 2 uploaded.

Ep2 ~ Before & After

Sharon/Andrea

Chapter 2

…

Sharon walked back in to her condo for the second time that evening after leaving the office. After the fight with Rusty she went for a walk to try and clear her head, placing her jacket on the coat rack she called out for Rusty but got no reply. She made her way to his room and knocked lightly but got no reply, opening the door she found him with his back to her listening to music with his ear phones on. She came over to him and lightly touched his shoulder causing him to turn around quickly, anger on his face.

"What the hell, don't you ever knock?" He yelled, yanking off his head phones.

"I did, clearly you couldn't hear me over the loud music."

"What do you want?"

Sharon could hear the hatred in his tone as he eyed her with nothing but anger on his face.

"I was wondering what you fancied for dinner?"

"I already had some cereal."

"Rusty, cereal is not a substantial meal for dinner. How about I make some stir fry."

"Stir fry?"

"Or we could have hamburgers, what ever you want." She smiled.

"Don't worry about it I'm cool, besides…I'm not that hungry."

He turned his back to her, placed his head phones back on and went back to his music, Sharon gave one of her famous eye rolls before retreating back in to the lounge. She grabbed one of the cushions lying beside her and brought it to her chest and hugged it tightly before closing her eyes. The doorbell rang seconds later, sighing she placed the cushion back before getting up to answer the door.

"DDA Hobbs."

The look of surprise didn't go unnoticed by Andrea when Sharon opened the door.

"Hello, I guess you're probably wondering what I'm doing here?"

"I'm a little surprised."

"I thought we could celebrate our victory today, I brought Chinese."

"I do like Chinese, come on in."

…

Sharon stepped aside as Andrea walked past her and through to the kitchen.

"Where do you keep your plates?"

"Top shelf." She smiled, watching the younger woman. "DDA Hobbs I…"

"Please, Andrea."

"Andrea, this is very nice of you but I'm not sure I understand what's happening here."

Andrea stopped what she was doing and came to lean against the kitchen counter next to Sharon, who had her arms crossed on front of her…curiosity in her eyes.

"We did a good job today, we got Annette Raiber for her husbands murder, 11 years is a good result and you managed to save us the stress of a trial."

"I wish Lieutenant Provenza shared your views, he still feels that she should have gotten longer."

"You can't please everyone."

"No you can't…so, this is a celebratory dinner."

"In a way."

"With a woman, who is at the moment hated by everyone?"

"Not by me, look Sharon…you just need to give them some time to get used to your presence. Chief Johnson was a big part of their Team and her departure has left a sour taste in their mouths."

"I understand, really I do."

"Now, you sit down and I'll bring the food over. Is Rusty here?"

"In his room but I wouldn't try to enter, he's in a mood."

"Oh, okay then…I'll leave some aside for him."

…

They sat on the sofa, music on as a little distraction. Empty plates were now sitting on the coffee table as the two women sat next to each other; Sharon sat with her legs curled underneath her, shoes long discarded and Andrea following the same pattern. They both sat wine glass in hand as they chatted about the day they'd had.

"I knew it would be difficult when I took over but I feel as thought they really despise, Lt. Provenza and Lt. Flynn in particular."

"Lt. Provenza is just bitter because he feels that he should have been considered for Chief Johnson's replacement."

"That's not my fault, I'm not the one who made the decision, Taylor made it."

"Give him time and as for Andy well, things didn't seem to go that badly with you two today. I think he's warming to you." She smiled.

"You think so?"

"Oh yeah." She grinned.

Sharon wasn't entirely sure what Andrea meant by that but chose to let it slip by.

"So come on, why's Rusty hauled up in his room?"

"He's mad at me."

"Really, what did you do?"

"Well, according to him I am not doing nearly enough to find his Mother. He believes that I am in fact refusing to find her, that I don't want him to find her."

"He's a typical teenager."

"I have the Reno Police looking for her, I have a trace on the credit card she used last and a trace on her last known address, I am doing all that I can."

"Have you told him that?"

"I did…he sees me as a threat and I can't get him to see other wise."

"So you're having a really hard time huh, at work and at home."

"It has to get easier right?"

"It will."

"Andrea thank you for coming here tonight, I didn't realize how much I needed to talk about today."

"Well glad I could help and anyway, they might be pissed right now but I like you and I hope we can be good friends."

"Well tonight's certainly a start, cheers."

"Cheers."

…

It was coming up for 9pm when Andrea began helping Sharon to clean up the plates, she watched as Sharon stacked the dishwasher in a particular way. She looked up when Andrea laughed.

"What's so funny?"

"You're a very particular woman aren't you?"

"Mmmm, oh the dishwasher I know. I've always liked things done a certain way."

"Well while you're doing that I'll go and take some chicken curry in to Rusty."

"Good luck."

Andrea placed the food onto a plate and made her way down the hallway and knocked on the door.

"I already said I wasn't hungry." Rusty bellowed from the other side.

Andrea opened the door and walked in with the plate, taking Rusty by surprise. He sat up and took a seat on the edge of the bed as Andrea placed the plate on the bedside table.

"She said you'd already eaten but I figured you wouldn't say no to Chinese food." She smiled.

"Erm thanks I guess."

Rusty began eating the curry as Andrea sat down beside him.

"You're the Attorney right?"

"Andrea Hobbs."

"So what are you doing here?"

"I came by to check on Sharon."

"So are you like friends then?"

"Yes we are."

"Is she always this up tight?" Rusty groaned.

"You know, she's had a pretty rough day. She's trying her hardest to gain the trust and support of a new Team, not to mention taking care of you."

"Geez, I'm sorry I'm such a burden."

"That's not what I said and you know it, you might want to cut her some slack. She's doing the best that she can, she has a tough job to do and she's doing all she can for you…and that includes trying to find your Mom. I know you think she isn't but that's just not true. She has everyone she can out there trying to trace her."

"She said she had the Reno Police out looking for her.""

"And she has, look Rusty…Sharon might seem like a tough woman but she's struggling too, go easy on her and try and be a little more helpful around the house now and again okay. You're lucky to have her looking after you."

Andrea got up from the bed and made a move for the door.

"Hey Andrea."

"Yes."

"Thanks for the curry."

"You're welcome." She smiled, closing the door.

…

Sharon was just topping up her wine glass when Andrea came back through.

"Fancy another?" She smiled.

"Actually I should probably get going; I have an early meeting tomorrow."

"Oh, okay then…well thank you for dinner, I really enjoyed myself."

Sharon followed Andrea to the door, Andrea turning just before she left.

"Listen, I had a little word to Rusty I hope you don't mind. I just told him that maybe he should cut you some slack, that you're doing all you can for his Mom."

"You didn't have to do that, but thank you." She smiled.

"Try and get some sleep tonight okay."

"I will and thank you again for tonight."

"I really had fun, we'll do it again soon yeah."

"Absolutely."

"And look, if you ever need to talk about your day…you have my cell."

"You're a good friend Andrea."

"Night."

"Good night."

Sharon closed the door and turned to see Rusty standing in the hallway watching her.

"Rusty…have you finished your meal."

"Yeah, it was good…thanks."

"Why don't you bring you plate through huh."

Rusty did as she asked and retrieved his plate and brought it to her as she placed it in the dishwasher. He stood quietly for a few moments observing her; she looked up and met his eyes.

"Everything alright?" She asked.

"You look kinda tired."

"Well it's been a long day."

"Look, I'm not really like good at this stuff but I'm sorry for what I said to you earlier, when I said you weren't trying hard enough to find my Mom."

"Rusty, I know you miss her and I understand how hard it is on you, you're going through a tough time but I promise you that I will never stop searching for your Mother…you have my word on that."

"I believe you, I'm gonna head to bed if that's okay."

"Sure, off you go."

Rusty was just about to leave before he quickly turned back and hugged Sharon, taking her by surprise.

"Oh…"

"I'm sorry for being a jerk."

"Oh honey, you just miss your Mom, I can understand that."

"Night Sharon." He smiled, before walking away.

Sharon watched him walk away, feeling the tears threatening in the corner of her eyes. Thanks to Andrea, they may just be turning a corner.

…

-Fin