6. "Have a good day at work."

She had no idea what had come over her. What on Earth had possessed her to take in a homeless teenager with an attitude problem? A teenager who had been pretty clear he didn't like her and was going out of his way to make her life even more complicated than it already was. Because aside from facing the scorn of the Major Crimes Division for having been chosen as Chief Johnson's replacement, clearly Sharon hadn't thought that wasn't enough. No, she had taken Rusty Beck home with her and, as she looked around her usually tidy living room, she began to wonder if she had lost her mind.

Provenza still wanted to shoot her on sight and Amy Sykes' compliments would have been nice if the young detective actually meant any of them and wasn't just trying to work her way up. No, accepting Chief Johnson's position was never going to be easy but Sharon had begun to wonder if maybe she had underestimated the task ahead a little. If not with Major Crimes then definitely with Rusty.

The boy had a difficult background and Sharon felt for him. His despair to find his mother was heart-breaking. Sharon believed every child deserved to be with their mother as long as the situation allowed it and despite her suspicions that Rusty's mother was far from perfect, she wanted to help him find her.

She listened to the shower being switched off and glanced at her watch. Seven fifteen. Rusty was up earlier than usual today. Smiling a little to herself, Sharon turned away from the discarded algebra study book and empty soda can on the coffee table and went into the kitchen to make her morning coffee. She would be meeting Morales in the morgue that morning and an autopsy required coffee.

Sharon chose her favourite cup from the shelf, prepared the coffee machine and as the coffee brewed, she toasted half a bagel and had just taken a bite when she recognised the shuffling sound of approaching footsteps. Just as she turned around, Rusty came waling into the kitchen. Sharon took in the sight of him.

His hair was still wet and his feet bare but he wore the light blue polo shirt issued by the school and his favourite, Sharon assumed they were his favourite because he was always wearing them, black pants. He'd shoved his hands into his pockets but looked up at Sharon. For a moment she was struck by how young he really was, scarred and damaged beyond his years, and her mother heart ached. This child, because that was what he was still, had seen and done things no child should ever see or do.

"Is that coffee?" Rusty asked.

"Yes," Sharon smiled and turned to the machine. "Would you like some?"

Rusty climbed on one of the stools at the breakfast bar. "Please."

Sharon poured herself and Rusty some coffee and handed the cup to the teenager. She'd had to adjust to him drinking coffee. It wasn't something she was used to. Neither Emily nor Ricky drank it but Rusty drank it like it was water. She would have to try and change that habit, she thought. But she would have to tackle one thing at a time…

"You're up early," Sharon pointed out. She usually had to almost force Rusty out of bed in the morning. Most mornings it involved several threats, including withholding coffee and switching off the hot water.

Rusty didn't answer and drank his coffee instead. When he had half-finished the cup he abandoned it, got up and made his way back to his bedroom. When he remerged he had combed his hair, put on socks and was carrying his shoes in his hand and his school bag over his shoulder. Rusty grabbed the algebra book off the table, pushed it in his bag and then turned to look at Sharon. She'd arched an eyebrow.

"What?" Rusty challenged.

"What's' going on here?" Sharon's eyes narrowed.

"Class starts at eight thirty," Rusty rolled his eyes. "Or so you keep telling me."

Sharon shot the teenager one last look but then picked up her keys and her purse and headed for the front door. Rusty was right behind her and they rode the elevator down to the building's parking lot. Sharon drove Rusty to school most mornings and on the occasions where she couldn't she got a uniformed police officer to do it. Rusty preferred it when Sharon did it because being dropped off outside the school gates in a black and white cop car was hardly going to help him make friends.

Sharon got behind the wheel and when she stuck the key in the ignition the radio kicked in. As per usual Rusty immediately changed the station and Sharon, although she expected it, still flinched for a moment when the loud base filled the car. Reconciling herself to the fact she would have to listen to this noise for the next twenty-five minutes, she drove out of the parking lot.

Rusty didn't speak for the entire journey but when Sharon pulled up outside the gates, he turned to look at her. For the first time she could have sworn she saw some of that defensiveness fade from his eyes.

"Thank you," Rusty said before opening the car door.

"You're welcome," Sharon smiled. They had this exchange every morning. It was as good as it got and an upgrade from Rusty just getting out of the car and slamming the door.

After getting out of the car Rusty turned around and leaned back into the car, much to Sharon's surprise. His bag hung off his shoulder and he didn't seem at all comfortable but Rusty didn't seem to care.

"Sharon?"

She cocked her head. "Yes, Rusty?"

"Have a good day at work."

With that Rusty turned around, slammed the car door the way he always did and had disappeared in the crowd of students within seconds. Sharon sat and watched the spot where she had last caught a glimpse of his dirty blonde hair and then started the engine again and drove off towards Parker Centre with a smile on her face.