A/N: Four chapters left now - the end is in sight! I'm hoping to get them all posted this week, so that I can start writing for the #ShandySundayHiatus Marathon with a clean slate.

For those of you who have been requesting a Rusty reappearance - here he is! However, I've been having real trouble getting into his head lately - I hope I managed it well enough for you!


CHAPTER TWELVE :: Find My Way

Sharon woke to an empty bed on Friday morning, after the best night's sleep she'd had for a long while. She stretched lazily, wincing only slightly as the movement caused her side to begin its familiar dull ache. Andy's side of the bed was still warm - he couldn't have been up for long.

She smiled to herself at the thought: Andy's side. That was something she could get used to.

Turning onto her side, she saw a glass of water on her nightstand, alongside her morning medications. Smiling again at his thoughtfulness, she carefully sat herself up and dutifully took the pills, knowing that he would be back to check that she had done so soon enough.

There was a delicious smell flowing through the condo as Sharon pulled on a favourite pair of yoga pants. She grabbed her black cardigan from her closet, slipping it over the t-shirt she still wore and made her way out of the bedroom, in the direction of the kitchen. Andy looked up as she approached, grinning when he saw her. She was walking much more easily today and he was relieved to see that she at last had some colour in her cheeks. The bruises that had marked her skin were almost completely faded and even the cut to her lip was far less obvious - and would hopefully, according to Dr. Murphy, not even leave a scar. Her eyes had some of their sparkle back too, he noticed, as he crossed from the kitchen to the dining table, where she had stopped to rest for a moment against the back of a chair.

He slipped his arms around her carefully, lowering his head so that he could capture her lips in a slow, meaningful kiss.

"Good morning, beautiful." He grinned at her again and she smiled up at him, running her fingers through his sleep-tousled hair.

"Good morning," she replied softly, pulling his head back down for another, longer kiss. Her arms came around his neck as she parted her lips, allowing him the access he craved, deepening the kiss as he held her gently against him.

"Something smells good," she said eventually, peeking around him to see what he had been up to in the kitchen.

"Omelettes," he replied. "They're keeping warm in the oven. You hungry?"

She really was. He laughed when she nodded enthusiastically, settling herself at the head of the table. Andy grabbed the plates from the oven and carried them over, seating himself at her left. He watched as she ate, gratitude coursing through him once again for the simple, amazing fact that she was here. She looked up and caught him studying her, a smile crinkling the corners of her green eyes adorably. He grinned back, a little sheepishly, and turned his attention to his own breakfast - but not before a small hand had snuck into his, squeezing it quickly before pulling away. He looked up. She was already eating again, but he knew: She was grateful, too. For her life. For being home. And maybe - hopefully - also for him.


"Sharon, can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

They had finished breakfast and settled themselves on the couch. Nicole had texted to say that she would be bringing Rusty home in about an hour, so Sharon was making the most of the time they had together, just the two of them. She had her legs curled underneath her and was leaning back against Andy, gently stroking his arm which was resting along her thigh.

"It's about Jack…" He paused, studying her reaction intently. Sharon forced herself more upright, turning so that she could face him comfortably.

"Go ahead, Andy. It's okay." She smiled encouragingly but he looked decidedly uncomfortable, refusing to meet her gaze.

"You know that Jack and I used to be drinking buddies, back in the day, right?" She nodded slowly, not sure where he was going with this. "I just…I need to know…" Andy fidgeted where he sat, his hand unconsciously reaching up to rub the back of his head. Sharon reached for him and held his other hand tight, lacing her fingers with his.

"Andy, what is it?"

He met her gaze then, and the uncertainty, the guilt - the self-loathing for the man he used to be - that she saw in his eyes made her want to weep.

"When he left me and the guys all those nights, in whatever bar we happened to be at, did he come home to you and… Did he…" His eyes filled with tears as he tried to force the words out. "Was he coming home and hurting you?" he managed eventually.

Sharon's eyes widened as she realised what he was thinking and she rushed to reassure him.

"Oh, honey, no. No."

She shook her head vehemently at the doubt in his eyes. Touching his face, she leaned in to him, ensuring that he maintained eye contact with her - determined that he would really hear what she was saying.

"Jack was a charismatic drunk, you know that." He nodded slightly and she stroked his cheek with her thumb. "He could also be a volatile drunk. There were bar fights, various altercations over the years. Never anything that he was charged with…but the bruises were proof enough of events."

Andy nodded again and brought his hand up to cover hers. She waited while he settled their joined hands in his lap and lifted his eyes to meet hers once more.

"He was never violent with me." She said the words firmly, looking him straight in the eye, and he saw the truth of what she was saying written clearly in her gaze. There was still something he didn't understand, however.

"Rusty said that when Jack showed up and you realised he was drinking…he said you looked…scared."

She saw the unspoken question in his eyes and sighed as she looked down, thinking about how to answer it.

"We fought sometimes," she admitted. "He would throw things…break things…if he didn't get his way." She found his gaze again. "I was afraid that he would make a scene, or frighten Rusty like he used to frighten Ricky and Emily." She paused and swallowed hard, her eyes filling with tears as she studied her hands intently. "I thought I could handle him," she said quietly. "I never, ever thought he would… If I had known, if I had suspected, even for a second… I would never have opened that door." She looked up at him, pain filling her eyes. "I never would have let him near Rusty," she said in a whisper.

"I know. I know you wouldn't."

Andy had heard enough. He pulled her into his arms and held her as she cried. He hadn't wanted to hurt her by asking the question, but maybe now they could both, finally, let go of the past. Maybe now they could really find their future, together.


By the time Nicole arrived with Rusty, Sharon had composed herself once more. Andy took Nicole into the kitchen to chat and make some tea, giving Sharon and Rusty some time alone together. She smiled warmly at the boy as he stood nervously at the end of the couch. He had been so looking forward to seeing her back home, but now that she was here, and he was here - and they were both, like, here - he wasn't sure what to do.

Sharon patted the cushion next to her, understanding his awkwardness.

"Come and sit by me," she said softly. He did as instructed, instinctively pulling her into a hug as soon as he was by her side.

"I missed you, Sharon."

"I know, honey. I missed you too."

He held onto her for dear life, as if afraid she would disappear again if he dared to let her go. Sharon rubbed his back comfortingly, reassuring him of her presence, smiling as she felt some of the anxious tension he was carrying dissipate a little.

"Thank you," she murmured into the boy's shoulder as she held him tightly against her. Rusty pulled back and looked at her, frowning in confusion.

"For what?"

Sharon smiled at him and stroked his face.

"For saving me."

"Oh." He swallowed hard. "I…uh…I just…" Rusty stuttered, suddenly finding it difficult to breathe. His eyes filled with tears and he looked down at his fingers, twisting nervously in his lap. All at once, he was overcome with the need to be held by her again.

They reached for each other at the same time. Sharon's arms wrapped around Rusty's shoulders as his own held her gently around her waist. His hands clutched at the black cardigan she wore as if seeking comfort in its familiarity. Leaning into her, he rested his head against her shoulder as she rocked him gently, one hand holding him tight as the other stroked his hair softly. He relaxed completely into her embrace and she took the opportunity to drop a single kiss onto the top of his head. Never had he let her hold him so long before, and her heart swelled with the love that she felt for this child. For he was still a child, particularly emotionally, however much he tried to convince everyone otherwise. Never had that fact been more apparent than in this moment.

"Sharon?" His voice was quiet, muffled against her chest. She hummed in response, continuing the rocking motion that seemed to be soothing him. He squeezed her gently. "I love you."

"Oh, honey." Her eyes filled with tears and her voice was thick with emotion. "I love you, too."