Thank you for all the reviews! They are very much appreciated, and I'm glad people are enjoying this story. I've been asked if Sharon and Andy have been intimate, and no, they have not. They are navigating dangerous waters, both very much aware of that, that this year, has been compounded by work. Sharon is now his boss, and neither want to mess up that or their personal lives. Yes, they care very much about each other, but they are also mature adults who realize that life can be very complicated. Sharon is still very much married, something she struggles with, and Andy knows that. Andy also knows this is Sharon, a person he respects and idolizes, even if neither can voice that yet. She's not someone to pass through his life. They also struggle with time together, with these trips being their only alone time, up to this point. At home, they've been very much business as usual. This past year, they had hoped to change that, but life happened in the shift of Sharon to Major Crimes and the addition of Rusty to their lives. So, they are trying to find their footing, while I'm trying to keep this believable and somewhat in line with the actual storyline. Rusty's a major part of Sharon's life now, something she's aware of and has put her personal life on hold to address. Andy is in the background, but very much involved in Rusty's upbringing in my world :) Work has been tricky, but as they move toward what would be Season 2, they all are trying to find their footing and will get into a better friendship situation as they would get closer to Season 2 for the show. Sharon and Andy currently linger in that "best friends" but "a little more" area, enjoying each other's company whenever they get the chance, knowing each other's thoughts, but also being the emotional support the other needs. Andy is realizing that Sharon needs to deal with a lot in her life before she can move forward with him, and he's trying to be okay with that, the comforting, supportive friend, yet he still wants Sharon to know he deeply cares for her and isn't going anywhere. Some might think that is unrealistic, but I believe it is. Sharon, with her thoughts on marriage and religion could struggle with this-the idea she needs to end a worthless marriage and move on with a loving man-she just can't wrap her head around it, YET. That's why subtly, throughout the recent chapters, she's mentioned dealing with Jack sooner than later-sooner, still being a relative term, but it's something she has to be okay with, and Andy knows if he pushes the issue or scares her off, he could lose the best thing that's happened to him. Anyways...those are my thoughts regarding them and this story. As I've said, I don't own them at all; it's just been fun playing with them here. The story continues!
"Someone's cooking breakfast," she mumbled into the silent air.
"Does that mean we have to get up?" he said groggily. Sharon chuckled.
"Yes, and eat up buster. We've got a long day on the slopes with Rusty. Something tells me he won't be so chipper to learn," she said sitting up. She leaned over and kissed Andy as he sat up too, "Good morning," she grinned.
"Morning, Beautiful," he smiled brightly. "Sleep well?"
"Indeed," she smiled happy. "I didn't wake up at all."
"Me either," he yawned. "Seems as if we make each other feel safe and secure."
"We do, but we'd better get downstairs to help with breakfast," she nudged. "I'll use the bathroom and be right out."
A few minutes later, both emerged from their own rooms to find that Rusty was already up. They wandered downstairs into the kitchen to find him at the table talking to Bob.
"Morning," Andy offered to the group, as he and Sharon made their way into the kitchen. Rusty turned at the sound of Andy's voice.
"What are you wearing, Sharon?" he said making a hideous face and drawing the attention of both Sue and Bob. Both looked over to the pair at the entrance to the kitchen, and Sue and Bob started to laugh.
"What?" Andy asked, shrugging, looking at Rusty. "Sharon made fun of my moose pajamas before, so I had to find her some too."
Sue grinned at the pair, "Andy, she was relentless with you about those pajamas. I'm glad you could find some for her too."
Sharon rolled her eyes, "Haha, everyone," she said flippantly, as she walked over to Rusty, now addressing him, "Rusty, I'm surprised you are up already. Did you sleep well?"
"Yeah, I did," he nodded, "except it's cold here, even in the house. Sharon, I don't think Utah is the place for me."
Andy just looked up, shaking his head, while Sharon met her parents' gaze before sitting down to talk to Rusty, "Well, I'm glad you are getting out in this big world a bit to figure out what you like. So, a California boy through and through?"
"Ahh, yeah, definitely," he said.
"Rusty," Andy interjected, drawing everyone's attention, "don't think this gets you out of skiing today," he said, pointing his finger at Rusty. "You're still trying that."
Rusty made a face of horror, "How did you do that, Lieutenant? How did you know?"
The room started to laugh at Andy's ability to peg Rusty, and he just shrugged, "Easy. I know you. I know you well, almost as well as Sharon. I know how your mind is working. I'm watching," he displayed a smirk to him, causing Bob and Sue to laugh. Sharon just nodded in appreciation.
"Man, this isn't going to be pretty today," Rusty sighed, and then he turned his attention to Sharon, "So, Sharon," he started, "I'm surprised you'd come down here in your pajamas. You rarely wear them at home out of your room. We're here on vacation with other people, and you're in your pajamas. Wow, not the Sharon I know."
Sharon gave him a puzzled look, "Rusty, this is family, and this is how you act around family. You are yourself. Part of the reason I'm never in my pajamas at home is that I'm always off to a crime scene early, or you sleep too late to see it."
"The lieutenant isn't family," Rusty said grinning, "and, I know you don't wear your pajamas to work, and might I add, Sharon, that it's so corny that you and the lieutenant have on matching pajamas," he chuckled.
Sharon sighed, as she shook her head. She could hear her parents snickering, and Andy, as he was pouring coffee for both, said just loudly enough for everyone to hear, "Kid is such the comedian."
"Rusty, it's just pajamas, clothes," she shrugged. "I told you that Andy has been here before. It's not a big deal," she finished, as Andy put a cup of coffee in front of her, and Andy sat down next to her. He turned his attention to Bob to get off the subject.
"Bob, how are you this morning? Any plans for the day?" he asked.
"Morning to you, Andy," he nodded. "No, we don't have any big plans. I wanted to see what the three of you had planned. Sounds like skiing? I was thinking of taking Sue to that steakhouse we love so much tonight for dinner. Now, you are all invited too, but I know you don't eat meat, Andy, and Shar Bear doesn't eat a lot of it either. Rusty, would you be interested in going to a steakhouse for dinner?"
Rusty's eyes got wide, "Do they have burgers?" to which Sharon groaned, her head shifting to Andy's shoulder. He chuckled too.
"Of course!" Bob smiled. "Our grandson, Ricky, says they are the best burgers he has ever had. Might as well take our new grandson here to see if that's true."
"Oh, well, I'm not-"he was cut off by a glare from Sharon, and then he continued, "If you are sure I'm not a bother, yeah, that sounds cool. I don't want to like crowd your date or something."
"Nonsense," Sue waved her free hand as she put down the platter of waffles, "we would love to take you. It's just over in the village; we could almost walk, but we're getting old. That means you two need to find your own dinner tonight," she nodded to Sharon and Andy. Sharon had picked her head off Andy's shoulder, and she shrugged looking at him.
"Andy?" she asked.
"Yeah, that's fine with me. I'm sure Sharon and I can figure that out. Maybe an Italian place?" he offered.
Sharon grinned, "I know just the place."
"Perfect," Sue clapped her hands, "that will give us time to get to know Rusty a little, and it will give Sharon and Andy a little break from you Rusty," she winked to him. "If those two," she indicated Sharon and Andy, "think it's okay, perhaps you can even drive."
"Really?" Rusty perked up looking to Sharon and Andy. Both nodded, and Andy spoke, "That's fine, Rusty. It's almost across the parking lot."
"Cool," he smiled, as he stabbed two waffles. The family started their breakfast in a lazy silence.
Once breakfast was over, Sharon gave Rusty some instructions on getting ready to hit the slopes. He took off to get a shower, leaving Sharon and Andy sitting with her parents.
"You two are very good with him," Sue nodded, indicating Rusty.
Sharon smiled, "He's worth the effort," as she took a sip of her coffee.
"I think we both, as well as the whole team, bring some strengths to offer Rusty," Andy explained. "Sharon is a fantastic mother, that goes without saying," he grinned at her. "Provenza provides the advice Rusty always seeks to get out of a sticky situation when he knows he'll be in trouble with Sharon, Buzz-our tech guy-has been like a mentor to Rusty, helping him with homework, and the rest of the team, well, they always have his back. I guess I've been able to help him start to work this his issues with his biological mom regarding addiction and stuff. He hasn't talked about it much, but when he has, it has been through me usually with specific questions. Hopefully, that will continue, and he'll open up more," he said casually.
"Andy's also good at providing clear-cut guidelines and expectations for Rusty," Sharon smiled at him. "Plus, while I don't want to admit it, he might have more patience with Rusty's driving," she hung her head at that admission. Andy chuckled, patting her back.
"It's okay, Sharon. You can handle most everything with Rusty. I'll be happy to drive with him," he grinned into his coffee cup.
"We are so glad you brought him here. Clearly, he hasn't had anyone love him in his life until recently. My goodness, he doesn't seem to know how a normal family interacts. This is good for him. Skiing will be an adventure," Sue added.
"We were hoping he would go to dinner with us," Bob explained. "Helps all of us-gives you two a night off, and we are looking forward to getting to know him. I'll have to play chess with him too. Sounds like a great evening already," he smiled.
"Yes, you two, go and enjoy your own dinner. We'll be fine with Rusty," she smiled.
"Thank you," Andy nodded. "It sounds like a nice evening for everyone."
"Mom, Dad, thanks. Yes, since Rusty moved in this past August, it's been an adjustment to having a teenager at home again, but we're finally settling in nicely."
Andy nodded to Sharon, "We'd better get ready for skiing ourselves. Hopefully, Rusty hasn't used all the hot water. I'm going to shower," he stood, "thanks for the breakfast, Sue," he nodded to her and went to the stairs.
"Sharon," Bob drew Sharon out of her stare; her eyes had followed Andy out of the room, "If Rusty hates skiing, you can always send him inside with us. We'll watch out for him. I know you and Andy enjoy skiing."
"Thanks, Dad," Sharon nodded. "Hopefully, Rusty will stick it out. Andy and I are both good at getting him to do what he needs to do, even when he doesn't realize it."
"Well, I can see the work you are putting into Rusty, Sharon," Sue smiled, patting her hand. "Go ahead, get ready for your day."
An hour later, the trio found themselves on the ski slope. Rusty was wearing a new coat that Sharon had bought him for Christmas. She had also gotten him outfitted with goggles, ski pants, gloves, and a helmet. He had balked, saying he'd never use any of it, yet here he was.
"So, I look like an idiot," he sighed, as Sharon took a dozen pictures of Rusty with both of them in different combinations.
"Rusty! You look like a skier. Now, we are going to walk you through this all morning. Everyone feels the same way when they learn," she explained.
"Yeah, and imagine me-really starting to learn at my age," he sighed. "Little kids were flying around me left and right. Now, I enjoy it."
"I offered to put you in a lesson, Rusty, but you didn't want that," Sharon reminded him.
"Well, yeah. I mean, it's bad enough to be out here. I don't need more people making fun of me, Sharon," he grumbled.
"Stick with us kid," Andy nodded. "We'll help you. Even the lifts here can fit three at least, so we can all sit together."
"The lift? How do I get on that?" he panicked.
The two worked with Rusty for a good thirty minutes, explaining some things. Bob and Sue even came outside to take some pictures of the trio, and before long, Sharon and Andy were ready to take Rusty up the first bunny slope.
"Now, Rusty, there's a small lift here. We'll all get on it together, and we'll show you how to get off," Sharon said calmly.
The three got in line, and they managed to get Rusty loaded okay. He felt extremely awkward, but they talked him through it, and it went better than they thought. As they approached the top, they explained to Rusty how to get off. He nodded, listening to each work, but when it came time to get off, Rusty slipped and fell. He ended up dragging Andy down with him, Sharon only escaping because she was a good enough skier to dodge the fall. The lift was stopped, and the workers helped Rusty and Andy get up. Sharon tried to hold it together, but the sight of the guys in a tangled mess, had her laughing. By the time they got to her, she had tears behind her goggles from laughter. Andy was shaking his head at the absurdity of it, and even Rusty was starting to chuckle.
"Seriously! Those little kids can get off that thing, and I can't. Lieutenant, I'm sorry I pulled you down with me. I know that wasn't cool," he groaned.
Andy put up his hand, "Hey, it's okay. First time on the lift, and we all won't forget it."
"I hate lifts," Rusty grumbled. Sharon and Andy exchanged a glance, and Andy winked at Sharon, "Really?" he asked, "I kind of love them," he smiled. "Even got stuck on one for maybe 15 minutes once, but it was great."
Sharon turned away at that comment, noting it was the first-time Andy kissed her a couple years ago, and she refocused on Rusty.
"Hey, it's over, and next time you'll get it," she encouraged. "Now, let's get you skiing."
It was a good thing Sharon gave Rusty a pass on yelling profanities on the ski slopes. Her normal comments, of "Language, Rusty!" were not used today as he learned to ski. Sharon was also very grateful that Andy was there because had he not been, she was sure she would have broken into fits of laughter at many points. He'd kept her grounded, which was good. Rusty was funny, and Rusty was funny skiing. He wasn't bad, but he lacked any confidence, and once he got going, he started yelling anything and everything he could think of. Sharon almost felt like she needed to apologize to the many families Rusty flew by on his skiing rampage for tainting their children's ears with the language.
His fall on the lift was the only lift fall of the day. He had started to figure it out. He almost fell the second time, but Andy took the back of his coat by his hand and practically dragged him off. To anyone, they looked like the happy little family teaching their son to ski.
"Maybe I should try snowboarding," Rusty noted, nodding to the snowboarders on the lift the next run.
"I think skiing is a bit easier, Rusty, but you are welcome to try it. Neither Andy nor I snowboard, so we can't help you with that. Ricky and Emily both ski too, so that's what I know," Sharon pointed out.
"Plus, if you hate sitting in the snow, then you don't want to board. They are always down, messing with their straps. I'd stick with us," he nodded.
"Yeah, it's just such a weird sensation, skiing. I don't think I'm any good, and Sharon, I swear if you email out any of those pictures," he sighed, shaking his head.
Sharon patted his arm, "Rusty, you are doing great. It's your first day. I've been skiing longer than you have been alive. My kids started as toddlers. Even Andy had trouble picking it up, but look now-it takes time and practice."
"Well, I don't know about you two, but I'm ready for lunch," he smiled. "Anyone else?"
"You won't find me arguing, Lieutenant," Rusty nodded.
"Lunch it is," Sharon smiled.