I hope you enjoy!
Sharon sits in Rusty's hospital room, they had stopped sedating him and were waiting for him to wake up. She held his hand praying and waiting for some type of response for several hours now. The soft familiar footsteps make her look away from Rusty and smiles, she stands up releasing Rusty's hand and meeting Andy with a soft kiss. He looks at Rusty on the bed as peaceful as each time he had come through.
"How did you get in?" She asks wiping her eyes they seem to never end a constant companion the past few days. "It's only one person at a time."
"I had a friend talk to a friend." Sharon frowns confused. "Mary." She understands now, Sharon walks back towards Rusty, Andy stays at the foot of his bed. "She was a little upset." Sharon looks at Andy who is watching Rusty carefully. "Said she wished we would of called upon her sooner." Andy looks at Sharon's heavy expression. "She doesn't work ICU but said she was going to try and help us as much as she could." He walks over to her and rubs her shoulders, she sighs appreciatively.
"I'll have to go see her and ask her to check on Lewis, without him knowing I'm sending her." Andy smiles, kissing the top of her head. His hands stops. "No, keep going please." He smiles and continues massaging her shoulders and neck, she closes her eyes trying to enjoy the relief he's bringing her. Andy looks at Rusty and his small movements, stopping once again. Sharon opens her eyes and looks at Andy ready to argue then she follows at where his eyes are directed. She sees it too standing up quickly and grabbing Rusty's hand. His eyes flutter at the contact. "Rusty, honey." She swipes his hair and he tries opening his eyes but it fails on him. "Andy tell the nurse he's reacting please." He moves quickly, Sharon sits on the bed with him and continues caressing his hair, he was waking up. A rush of excitement, happiness and worry threatening to take over her body.
"Water?" He croaks, licking his lips. She doesn't know why his speaking shocks her, this is what she wanted. She controls the anxiety that is creeping up on her and answers.
"Honey, you can't have any right now." She says wanting nothing more than to give him whatever he asked for now that he was awake and talking she wipes her eyes and reaches over and grabs the cup and small sponge attached to a straw and dabs his lips. The nurse had given it to her to keep his mouth from drying out too much, he licks his lips again but this time for what felt like the so distant memory of water. "Rusty." She runs a finger on his cheek, he tries again to open his eyes and they won't budge.
"Sharon?" He says softly as if finally registering her presence. He lets out a short sob. "Sharon." He opens his eyes briefly and they close, but not before making contact with hers.
"No," she holds his hand tight as he starts to cry and cringes in discomfort, "please Rusty," she pleads crying herself. "Don't cry it's going to hurt." She whispers. She wipes his eyes. Andy and the nurse come in, he stops at the entrance seeing Rusty this way, he lets out a sigh inside himself. The nurse checks the beeping machine and listens to his heartbeat.
"Rusty." The nurse says as Sharon climbs off the bed and tries releasing his hand but he won't let go. "You're at the hospital, you remember why you're here?" Andy comes and holds Sharon's other hand. He nods opening his eyes completely this time but shutting again.
"I was shot." Sharon breathes out a heavy sigh at the tremble in his , he slowly turns and faces her seeing Andy there too and he fights his eyelids this time.
"Okay Rusty, we need you to remain calm." He looks back at the nurse, "you were shot to the spleen so that tension you feel is because of the surgery sight, you don't want to move too much or it'll open." The nurse explains it to him softly and he listens. "Are you in any pain?" He shakes his head.
"Can I," he coughs closing his eyes at the tug. "Water, please?" The nurse nods.
"The doctor will be here any minute and you can ask him. Anything else?" He shakes his head, he watches the nurse leave and Sharon releases Andy's hand sitting beside Rusty again, he looks at her tears streaming down her face.
"I'm so happy to see those eyes." She says softly stroking his hair. "Are you in pain?" She was aware of the nurse asking but knew he'd never say yes to her. He shakes his head. She leans in to kiss his forehead. "I'm sorry Rusty." She lets out a small sob, his hold of her hand tightens, trying to move up.
"No, no." Andy stops him. "Don't move alright?" Rusty stops. "Remember you're stitched up." Andy smiles softly.
"Sharon." He says with difficulty. "Don't cry." She looks at him, "please." He says with a small voice. This makes her cry more. Andy rubs Sharon's back, the doctor comes in and Sharon stands up turning into Andy.
"Rusty," the doctor looks at him and smiles. "We're happy to see you awake. Tell me, what's the date?"
"It feels," he coughs heavily. "Like I've been sleeping for too long and not enough." The doctor smiles. "So I have no idea." He gives a guess to the date and answers correctly when the doctor tells him how long he's been unconscious. She does a small routine checkup on him and looks over at Sharon who is still holding onto Andy.
"You know how much your mother loves you." Sharon turns around from hugging Andy knowing Rusty would be looking at her, Sharon is about to clarify when Rusty nods looking at the doctor.
"I do." Sharon is overwhelmed, the two short words had been heartfelt and honest, Andy holds her hand tightly knowing how much she has to be feeling, his small acceptance of calling Sharon his mother in his own words. The doctor smiles as she takes a seat beside him on a stool.
"I have a few questions to ask you but your parents have to step outside." The doctor looks at Sharon. "You guys have a police report I have the hospital report." Sharon nods but still looks at her hesitantly. "No worries I will hold his hand and be patient if he needs it." Rusty frowns a little at her words. She leans her head to the side a little bit in Sharon's direction. "She hasn't left your side in more than two days." Rusty looks at Sharon wiping her tears.
"I'm going to be outside." She smiles at him seeing him look at her so softly as if nothing had ever happened. "Dr. Hernández will be very nice I promise." He watches as Andy and her leave. He wasn't afraid this time he was sure they'd both be back. They walk to the waiting room, where Nicole and Kate are sitting at respectful distances from each other. Nicole sees them and stands up first.
"Did he wake up?" Sharon nods, Nicole smiles and hugs her. Sharon holds her tightly. Andy smiles as Kate walks over to them too, he steps aside and runs a hand up and down a grim looking Kate, she leans into him slightly. He looks down at her and sees her wipe her tears and hugs her realizing this is what she needed.
"If you wouldn't have stopped his bleeding." Sharon says softly, she lets out a soft cry.
"You would have." Nicole pulls out holding her shoulders, their eyes meet. "You had already, I took over. You saved his life, not me." She hugs her again, Sharon sees Kate wipe her eyes pulling out of Andy's hug and turn away. Nicole releases her and Andy steps in to stand beside his daughter as Sharon walks over to Kate as she sits down again.
"Bean?" Kate looks up at her bending her knees up onto the chair. "You alright?" She nods holding her tears back. Sharon takes her hand and pulls her up, "I need some fresh air. Come with me please." Kate puts her phone down and follows Sharon. Nicole and Andy sit down.
"She's upset because I'm around, isn't she?" Nicole asks. "I don't want to make things about me but I can sense it." She says a little disappointed. Andy smiles softly. She had contemplated leaving but her father was still here and Rusty was possibly as much as a sibling as he was to Kate.
"Lewis the officer that was shot?" Nicole nods. "Kate and him started something when she was here and it seems like it continued while she was away. But he put myself, Sharon and Kate on a list of people that couldn't go in to see him." Nicole frowns. "We know he feels guilty, she understands that too. Which makes it harder for her." Nicole nods feeling dumb for putting it on herself. "Then Rusty and her got close while she was here and again they kept in touch, she is worried just like all of us." He runs a hand on her back. "And yes, I think she may be a little jealous of you." Nicole looks at him. "She is a wonderful person, just like her mother and she carries all her emotions and burdens on her sleeve. It is one of the great things about her." Nicole smiles. "She doesn't hide what she's feeling."
"Unlike Sharon?"
"You see Sharon and I know each other we don't have to hide ourselves from each other. But yes, Sharon is reserved from others but I think Kate is the opposite of you." He smiles at her. "Which again is the quality that makes you amazing. You've sat with us through all of it, being pregnant, having two boys, probably being scolded by your mother for being here. And yet you seem invincible. I think that's why Sharon and you get along so well. You are a lot alike. Kate doesn't understand that you and Sharon are more like friends." Nicole nods, "she feels like she's getting replaced as a daughter. But once she sees the dynamic and things get better with Lewis and Rusty she'll be able to see that." Nicole smiles leaning her head on his shoulder.
Kate and Sharon walk slowly until they find a bench and sit down. Sharon sits right beside her daughter and wraps an arm around her and pulls her close. She lets her tears fall and Sharon lets her cry, just waiting for her daughter to peacefully soothe herself.
"My Bean, I love you." Sharon whispers into her ear, releasing her and taking her hand and holding it tight. "Nicole is Andy's daughter. Who for some reason was able to help me when I needed someone. I love her and her family, but you my beautiful girl." Kate looks at her when her voice breaks. "Are a piece of my world, I love you and no one can replace you or Ricky or Rusty. I love you all equally." Kate looks down and curls up on the bench laying onto Sharon's lap, she smiles running her hands through her hair. "You'll get filthy that way." Kate smiles closing her eyes.
"I see a lot of you in her." Sharon looks down at her and listens carefully. "It's hard, because I've always wanted to be that way. Naturally my personality has always been like Dad's so my whole life I've watched you, to try and be just like you." Her voice breaks. "Strong, independent, caring, respectful and respected." Sharon grabs her face and has her turn on her lap. "Look at me I'm an adult acting like a child." Sharon stops her from getting up stroking her hair.
"Kate you are all those things you said, but you know what I envy that you have." She shakes her head. "That you aren't afraid of expressing yourself. And that is not anything you gained from your father or I, you my dancing bean learned that on your own." Sharon taps her nose as she turns around again facing out.
"You're my Mom and have to see all the good in me." Sharon chuckles, running her fingers through her daughter's hair. "Lewis won't see me and I'm not one to fight for someone who is so adamant about pushing me out of their life. But it feels like I should fight, it's different this time." Sharon says nothing knowing she is only venting. "Mom."
"Hmm?"
"I'm sorry I behaved this way. Rusty is going to be alright, right?" She looks at her again, Sharon nods knowing that just like her too many things had been happening in their life. "He told me that once he helped his Mom with whatever she wanted from him, he was going to promise you he'd never see her again." Sharon frowns. "I told him you would never ask that of him. But he said he had finally found his mother in you." Sharon smiles softly at her.
"When the doctor asked him if he knew his mother loved him very much he realized she was talking about me, he said he did." Kate smiles sitting up, knowing this had to make Sharon gleeful.
"He fits in our family perfectly. The best thing about him is that he loves you and he's not Jack's illegitimate son." Sharon lets out a short laugh shaking her head. "What you don't think I have a stepsibling out there somewhere?" Sharon looks at her seriousness, she had never considered this.
"Beautiful?" They both look up at Andy.
"Well thank you Mr. Perfect, I've looked better." Sharon laughs shaking her head at Kate as she stands up. "Your daughter is she still around?" Andy nods. "You told her why I'm nuts?" She stops when Andy doesn't respond. "I'm going to go apologize." She points inside and goes. Sharon looks up at Andy apologetically.
"Why does she call me Mr. Perfect?" Sharon shakes her head amused, she had no idea or she had a very good one but found Andy's expression endearing.
"If you didn't put her up to it than I have no idea." Sharon teases with a smile. He looks back at where Kate disappeared than at Sharon. She holds out her hand he walks toward her and takes it sitting next to her.
"The nurse came out, said we can go in now." Sharon gets up and sits on him before he can get up, putting a hand on his cheek.
"You are perfect. That's why. There is nothing else that needs explaining." She kisses him then pulls out running her hand along his face. "Now Mr. Perfect?" He pouts and grumbles.
"Please don't call me that. I mean it's fine if she does but you keep calling me Andy." She smiles. "It sounds perfect coming from you." Sharon smiles.
"Can I call you my love?" He nods, kissing her.
"All the time would be perfect." Sharon smiles as he kisses her neck. "You were going to ask me for something?" He meets her eyes.
"Oh yes, I need you to talk to Mary and see if she can talk to Lewis since you can so easily find her in this place." Andy smiles nodding. "Don't have her force Kate upon him, I just want him to know we are not upset but thankful." Andy frowns a little.
"Force Kate? That child is like a beam of energy." Sharon giggles. "He likes her I'm sure. Plus he's bound to see us through work. First let's go see Rusty." He smacks her butt she smiles standing up. They enter Rusty's room and he is laying there with his eyes closed. Sharon comes to the chair she had occupied for so many hours but as soon as he looks at her she stands up. "Hey Kid." Rusty looks at him too. "How are you feeling?"
"Dizzy." He says clearer now. "You're not mad?" Andy frowns and looks at Sharon and back at Rusty.
"What would I be mad for?" Sharon takes Rusty's hand and he squeezes it.
"I put Sharon in danger." His voice slightly broken, Sharon sits on the edge of the bed.
"Honey, you did nothing of the sort. I'm sorry I'm not the one in your place right now. I didn't protect you like I promised I would." Rusty frowns, shaking his head coughing.
"Sharon the bullet was aimed at me, you called him so he would switch." He coughs loudly, Sharon looks at him almost asking him what she can do for him. "It's okay." He tells Sharon reading her expression. "The doctor said it's build up it'll clear as I talk and sit up." Sharon nods wiping her eyes. "Sharon the bullet was aimed at me first." He wasn't going to let her take the blame for something that was not hers.
"But not always honey." She says softly. "You took the bullet for me." Rusty looks at Andy.
"I'll wait outside." He says quickly.
"No, stay please." Andy stops and stays put. "My mom," he looks at Sharon's eyes and shakes his head. "Sharon, she tried leaving me alone with Michael when," he closes his eyes which only shows pain as he takes a small breath, Sharon runs her thumb over his hand. "When things started getting out of hand." They can hear the sadness in his voice. "Ugh when I," his breathing is shallow now. "I saw him take out the gun, I tried to run and maybe, maybe I could have gotten away but stopped. When he put the gun at her head." He stops looking at Sharon whose eyes haven't left his for a moment.
"You saved her too." Andy says to encourage him.
"I guess so," his voice breaks. "But it wasn't the same as when I tried protecting you." He meets Sharon's eyes again, Andy smiles knowing where this is going. "I stopped because it felt like I needed to help her like I was obligated like running out of there was against what I want to be; a cop." Sharon smiles feeling extremely proud of him. "With you I didn't have to think about it." Sharon smiles at him as her tears run. He coughs again. "I'm not just saying this because you're here." He struggles, she nods knowing he's saying the truth she can hear the honesty in his words wanting him to rest so she won't see his discomfort anymore. "I'm saying it because I love you and it was like I was protecting my Mom." Sharon lets out a long sigh when his voice breaks and leans in and kisses his forehead, Andy smiles knowing how long she has waited for this.
"I love you too Rusty." She says quietly pulling out. "And I was going to take the bullet for my son and that would have hurt a lot less than seeing you like this." She smiles at him. His eyes close as she runs her fingers through his hair. He opens his eyes when she stops she had never seen them express so much. "I'll stay here by your side you rest." She returns to the soft gentleness and he closes his eyes again not letting go of her hand. Sharon looks at Andy and he still looks worried. Andy can't shake the words Rusty said out of his head. Why would he be upset? He had been worried for Rusty too, never had he been upset? Was this what Rusty thought of him? He motions that he's going out she nods, looking back at Rusty.
"Sharon." Rusty says softly, his eyes still closed.
"Yes, what is it?" She moves closer on his bed.
"Did they get away?" Sharon lets out a soft sigh. "I know you can't tell me until they take my report." He opens his eyes filled with tears. "She held the gun first." Sharon's eyes widen, "she couldn't do it though." Sharon puffs some air in disgust that Rusty doesn't quite catch. "She never loved me." Sharon listens to him carefully knowing he needed to talk more than he needed consoling but his words broke her inside. "I fought for a mother." He grimaces in discomfort, Sharon moves her hands trying to help him but doesn't know how.
"Rusty just rest now." She says softly. "We can talk later." Her tears never ending.
"When I already had one." Sharon smiles softly, holding his hand tightly.
"In my heart you have been my son all along, I believe you honey just rest." They knew their sentiments were true they had to do nothing else but be present for one another as they had been all along. "Sleep now. I'll be here by your side." He smiles closing his eyes, she feels the warm tears running down her face. These were different they were from happiness to have Rusty talk this way, with such honesty. She was sure his repetitiveness was drug induced but she knew his words were not. They were a feeling he was expressing with nothing but love and honesty. Time drifts by, Sharon still sitting there holding his hand, softly stroking his hair when she turns and finds Drew standing there. His presence was an annoyance but she feigned a smile. And stood up, Rusty's eyes open holding her hand. "Drew from FID is here to take your report." She says in a whisper he looks at the man standing there. "You want to do this later?" She was ready to ask him to leave just like others had done so many times to her.
"I'll be fine." His voice rough again.
"I'll be outside okay?" Rusty nods releasing her hand, Sharon leaves turning back to see Drew walk closer to him. She walks down the hallways and exits the heavy doors that lead to the waiting room. She skims the group neither Kate or Andy present, she continues ahead and answers everyone's question before they ask. "He's awake in and out the morphine is keeping him comfortable, the doctor said he has a few days to heal than they'll start with minimal therapy. He's in discomfort when he moves or talks too much." Sharon shrugs putting her hands in her pockets. They can all see the relief her eyes hold from the worry of hours ago. They shined a little brighter.
"Can we see him, Captain?" Sharon smiles at Provenza and looks around at everyone wanting the same.
"He's with Drew giving his statement." They all grumble annoyances. "But as soon as he's out you all can go in two at a time. He'll be happy to see you all here." She looks at Nicole. "Sweetheart where is your Dad?"
"Nurse Mary talked to Lewis." Sharon smiles, "finally said yes to seeing you guys."
"I'm going to go check on him." They all nod, but Provenza stops her.
"We found the link to Stroh." Sharon lets out a sigh and sits on the arm of Nicole's chair, running her hand through her hair. "Rios and Julio did actually." She looks at them and they give her a faint smile. "He was using soon to be released inmates to get letters to this Michael character, Stroh had helped him go free ten years ago for killing male teenagers for no apparent reason." Sharon lets out a noise of disgust, Nicole stands up and hands her a water bottle, holding her up with a hand on her back.
So he knew who to contract?" Sharon says out loud but everyone knows she's voicing her repulsion.
"We can go into it with more detail later." Tao says softly, seeing Sharon isn't well.
"Yes, I think that's a good idea." Kate says looking at Sharon worriedly. "Drink water." She uncaps the bottle and they all watch as Sharon is slowly processing but day to day fading on them. "I'm going to get a nurse." Nicole says seeing Sharon's eyes glaze over, Sykes stands ready to get one.
"No." Sharon says quickly, she stands up. "As soon as Drew is out you all make your way in." She thanks Nicole and they watch her as leaves. Sharon makes the walk she had made three times while being here, with each time being sent back with no avail. She stops at the nurses station and gives Lewis's name and hers she lets her in. Sharon follows the familiar voices. She taps lightly at the door and hears Lewis's welcoming voice telling her to enter. She walks in and Andy smiles at her, she can see the way Lewis shifts uncomfortably and Kate looks at her nervously as she stands beside his bed.
"Captain." He says gently.
"Lewis, how are you feeling? She says coming towards Andy, he puts a hand behind her back, she leans into him the recent news still making her sick.
"A little upset at myself." He says shifting again. "I was there to watch over Rusty."
"And you did." Sharon assures him. "I'm standing straight while you lie in bed." They all stay quiet. "Thank you for protecting him." She says with all the sincerity she can muster.
"It's my job Captain, I wish he wasn't in bed too." Kate smiles. "Lieutenant Flynn and Kate say he woke up." Sharon nods.
"He's giving his report. Can you tell me what happened outside the house?"
"The woman talked to me, the man shot me from behind. I let my guard down. I could hear Rusty after, he wasn't panicked he was trying to calm him down. It was calm the first two minutes than five minutes in I was out." Sharon stands straight, looking at Andy. "Is something wrong Captain?"
"No. So you think she was in on it, she really knew what was going on?"
"I told Detective Sanchez and Lieutenant Provenza that she was trembling. She had no idea what was going to happen until she saw me fall." Sharon nods. "While they were inside he was shouting at her, telling her to take the gun." Kate grimaces, Andy holds Sharon tighter.
"Yes, Rusty told me she wouldn't do it." Sharon turns to Kate and smiles, than to Andy. He can read her soft glare she wanted to level Kate alone with Lewis. "We will be with Rusty, thank you again Lewis anything you need." He nods. Andy takes Sharon's hand as they walk away. "She asked you to come with her?"
"Yes, she was nervous." Andy says looking at his feet as they walk, he turns to Sharon and kisses her on her cheek. "I love you." She smiles looking at him as they continue to walk. "You know I think we can play hooky for a few minutes." She raises her eyebrows. "There are eight people out in the waiting room wanting to see him." Sharon grins and nods, he smiles tugging on her hand to the exit. They continue walking hand in hand through the night sky, a text to Nicole to let them know when the team was done. "Remember when our lives were simple." She giggles and he smiles, the sound still causing the same effect on him as it did the first time he heard her make it.
"My love, our lives have never been simple." She turns into him and he stops wrapping his arms around her waist as he continues guiding her back as they walk slowly. She runs her hand behind his neck.
"Sharon?" His voice concerned. "You're losing weight." She frowns. "I can feel it your waist is smaller." She smiles softly. "You're not eating. And you're fading on me." He stops moving but she holds his arms so he won't let go.
"Andy I can't leave his side not now that he's awake. I believe you when you say that but I was trying to lose weight anyway." She shrugs lying to him but his frown doesn't go unnoticed. "Okay it's nothing to joke about." She says softly looking at his chest.
"You're not skipping meals anymore and you're going to get checked." Sharon nods at his stern voice, he tries moving his arms from around her waist but she holds them still. "Please look at me." She does, tears in her eyes. "I'm trying to take care of you, I'm not forcing you into anything if you had lost the weight a healthy way I would have never questioned you. You know you're beautiful to me no matter how you look." Sharon kisses him softly.
"I know." She whispers. "I will do as you say because right now I can only trust you to take care of me." Andy smiles softly and draws circles on her back, kissing her forehead and starts taking steps again she smiles and meets his eyes. "When I can keep food down will you bring me a pizza?" He looks at her amused.
"Pizza?" He says with a big smile, she bites her bottom lip and nods. He had never heard her ask for something she would consider so greasy. "I will bring you whatever you want as long as you eat and rest." He stops moving she turns around and sees cars passing by and smiles when he start guiding her backwards again. "Sharon why does the Kid think I would be mad?" She sees his heavy expression. "Does he feel like I would ask him to leave?" Sharon's brows furrow, she had totally dismissed this inside. This time she stops moving.
"I don't think that's it at all." She runs a hand on his cheek when he lets out a puff of air as if not believing her. "He is afraid to disappoint you." Her words are sincere. "I think you two need to talk one on one, you both love each other but are stubborn men." She raises her eyebrows. "And I think you may need to carry me back up." He doesn't wait and lifts her across his arms. "Because I don't think I'll make it." She lets out giggling but he only has a worried expression.
"I'm taking you to eat something." He says seriously.
"Remember when we couldn't do this in public?" She asks relaxing in his arms.
"Yes, that's what I meant by; when our lives were simple." She hums understanding what he meant now. When their worry was simply trying to learn about one another hide their love from others, figuring each other out. He looks at her as she falls silent. "I'm happy beautiful." She smiles softly. "I love what we have." She smiles and kisses his cheek.
Thank you!