A/N: So this is where I began to change some major plot point of Rusty/Rainie's story and I hope it will be an interesting way to explore the sexuality issue.

I'd like to thank the lovely blossom-of-snow for beta reading this story. She does a wonderful work.

Sharon was almost caught staring and felt her cheeks becoming red, focusing her attention on the evidence report that she was reading. The sight of her foster daughter and her friend made her self-control slip a little, even though she was not sure how it would develop. Since Rainie has started summer school, she heard the name Chris pop up more than once. In fact, she gathered that there may have been more than one student by that name in Rainie's summer school because sometimes Rainie referred to Chris as a boy and sometimes as a girl. She didn't ask about it, and Rainie hasn't elaborated on Chris's gender. As long as Rainie found a friend, Sharon didn't care much if it was a boy or a girl.

When Rainie walked into the murder room with a boy, Sharon had been a bit taken aback. Chris had dark unruly hair, a pierced eyebrow and the general looks of a troublemaker. Sharon had to remind herself not to judge a book by its cover. She also reminded herself that with Rainie's background and lack of experience with healthy romantic relationships, she could be easily manipulated by men. She watched the two teens as they sat at one of the empty desks and started their homework. Sharon noticed the way Chris stared at Rainie's lips, a sure sign that he was attracted to her. She couldn't hear what they were saying, but she could tell he was making Rainie laugh. After throwing several glances at the two teens, Rainie turned her head, and Sharon barely diverted her gaze in time.

She went back to reading the evidence report in front of her. But even then her eyes traveled back up to look at Rainie and Chris through the window. She noticed the way that Chris leaned toward Rainie, another sign that he was trying to get closer to her. Knowing how to interpret nonverbal communication could often help an investigator crack a case, but when Sharon looked at Rainie, it was hard for her to understand how her foster daughter felt about this boy. On one hand, Rainie was not leaning away from Chris, and Sharon could not detect any other gestures that suggested she was intimidated or uncomfortable with Chris's proximity to her. On the other hand, Rainie's was not sending any encouraging physical indicators for Chris that she was feeling the same attraction. Without hearing their conversation, it was impossible for Sharon to conclude if Rainie was intentionally sending mixed signs or simply oblivious to Chris's advances. She wondered if Rainie was ready for a relationship or if she was leading Chris on, to keep his friendship.

Chris came with Rainie to the PAB the following day, too, and this time, he was not playing games. Sharon accidentally discovered Provenza and Buzz eavesdropping on the two teenagers while they studied for their SAT's. She wasn't sure what made her bet with Provenza that Rainie would not accept Chris's invitation to Hollywood Forever but watching their interactions the previous day made her suspect that Rainie was not serious about this boy. When Rainie ended up turning Chris's invitation down, Sharon realized that it was time to have a conversation with the girl about her friendship with this boy. She wanted to make sure that Rainie felt safe and comfortable around Chris and find out whether or not the girl was aware of his interest in her.

When they returned home later that evening, Sharon was still considering the different ways that she could address the Chris issue, and has not brought it up yet.

"Umm, Sharon?" Rainie approached her as they ate dinner. "Is it okay for the other Kris to come study with me tomorrow?"

"The other Kris?" Sharon arched her eyebrows, confusion registering across her features.

"Yeah, I told you about her, didn't I?" Rainie asked. Sharon now realized that her suspicion that there was more than one Chris at Rainie's summer school was correct.

"Sure, she came come," Sharon replied. "So, Chris and Kris, huh?"

"I know. It's totally weird. And they're friends with each other too," Rainie said.

"Are they new at St. Joseph's or were they in your class last year?" Sharon wondered. She was pretty sure neither of those kids was in the creative writing club.

"Chris Finnigan was in my homeroom last year, but we didn't really talk to each other," Rainie explained. "And Kris Slater is new. She just moved here. Her father is an international lawyer or something, so her family moves around a lot."

"I'd love to meet Kris," Sharon said. Seeing Rainie forming friendships with other kids her age filled Sharon with happiness. Maybe trying to maneuver Rainie in one way or another would cause more harm than benefit. Even though she planned to speak to her foster daughter about Chris, she decided that for now, she would avoid interrupting with Rainie's friendships and give her the space she needed to get to know her new friends.

The moment Rainie walked into the murder room with Kris, Sharon couldn't ignore the physical contrast between the girls. Rainie's fiery hair cascaded over her shoulders; her blue eyes were framed by thick lashes, and her sharp features were accentuated by makeup. Sharon still wished the girl would use less makeup, but at least Rainie had used gentler colors than she had before. Kris, on the other hand, had dark hair, was about two inches shorter than Rainie, her eyes were brown, and her round face had a natural glow. Both of the girls were beautiful, in different ways and watching them giggle together as they walked in, Sharon could tell immediately that the dynamic between them was not the same as the dynamic between Rainie and Chris. While Chris was a slightly darker figure, Kris carried a sense of innocence that Sharon liked. From the short conversation Sharon had with her a bit later, it appeared that Kris had a positive personality and good manners.

Throughout the afternoon, Sharon had watched the girls interacting with each other through the window of her office, much like she's done when Chris came over. She was surprised to discover that Rainie seemed at ease around Kris than she had been around Chris. Rainie's movements appeared less deliberate; her smile was wider, and her eyes shone with excitement. It was as if her redhead foster daughter has turned into a bright sun that cast her warm rays in the middle of the murder room. Sharon was not surprised when others noticed that too.

"They're having fun," Flynn commented when he walked into her office and caught her watching the girls. Sharon hummed affirmatively. "I like this one better than the other kid who was here the other day."

"They're different," Sharon said, although she couldn't deny that she felt the same way towards Kris. Flynn shrugged.

"It's good to see her happy," he threw one last look at the girls before handing Sharon a file. "Anyway, here are Carol Blair's phone records. Look at the ones I marked for you." He handed her a file and Sharon opened it and examined the calls Flynn highlighted. "Seems like our widow is familiar with Craig Hunt."

"I see," Sharon replied as she looked at the marked calls. "I think it's time we speak to Mrs. Blair and find out…" her voice faltered when she saw Rainie wrapping her arms around Kris and resting her head on the darker girl's shoulder. Flynn followed her gaze and a soft smile spread across his face when he saw the two girls.

"That's adorable" he commented.

"She brings a whole new side out of Rainie," Sharon's voice thickened. Rainie was not strong on physical displays of affection and seeing her interacting this way with Kris was odd to Sharon. Her mouth fell open when she suddenly realized what her foster daughter's behavior towards the other girl could have meant.

"Is everything okay, Captain?" A worried expression spread across Flynn's face.

"Yeah, everything is fine," Sharon responded. "So anyway, get Mrs. Blair here." She closed the file and handed it back to Flynn who gave her a quick nod and left her office. As soon as the door closed behind him, Sharon's gaze reverted back to the two girls. They drew apart now and were engaged in conversation. Rainie's eyes were focused on Kris's lips, the same way Chris has looked at her the other day. Suddenly the meaning of the mixed signals Rainie has been giving Chris made sense. Until now Sharon had not considered the possibility that Rainie might be interested in girls rather than boys, or that she was at the very least experimenting with her sexuality. Her moment of clarity was interrupted by another knock on the door, this time by Emma Rios who wondered why the pool of suspects has expanded. It had taken Sharon half an hour to explain to her the new evidence the division was looking into, and by the time the hardly placated DDA left her office, Kris was already gone.

The case dragged on longer than Sharon had expected and by the time she was able to leave the office, Rainie had fallen asleep in the super cubicle. Sharon watched her for a long moment. Her arms were folded on the table, and her head was resting on them. She looked so serene that it pained Sharon to wake her.

"Rainie," she spoke as softly as she could, but it seemed that the girl's sleep was deeper than she had expected. She placed her hand on Rainie's shoulder and said her name again. Rainie's eyelids fluttered open, and a confused expression appeared on her face.

"What time is it?" she asked groggily.

"It's almost eight," Sharon replied. She hated it that Rainie had to stay at the PAB when Sharon wasn't able to make it home early. But after that threatening letter, Sharon wasn't willing to take the risk of leaving the girl on her own, and Chief Taylor refused to approve a protection detail for her. Rainie yawned and pushed her chair as she got up.

"I'm so tired," she groaned.

"Come on. We'll be home soon," Sharon promised. Rainie grabbed her backpack and followed Sharon out of the murder room.

The girl fell asleep on the way home, which gave Sharon some time to think whether or not she wanted to ask Rainie about her feelings towards Kris. She never dealt with any doubts about her sexual identity as a teenager. She's always known she was straight, so she couldn't pretend that she had any idea how Rainie felt about her sexual orientation. Sharon also had to remind herself that she was making assumptions based on observations of Rainie with two of her only friends. Rainie's intentions could be platonic, but if she had no idea how to express herself, they could be misconstrued. She didn't want to force Rainie to confront her sexual orientation if she wasn't ready. Sharon didn't care if her foster daughter was gay, straight, bi or anything else; she only cared about Rainie's happiness and well-being. And if Rainie needed time to figure out her sexual orientation, it was more than okay. As long as she provided the girl with a safe and empowering support, she knew that the girl will thrive.

-TBC-

As always, I'd love to know your thoughts about this chapter, so feel free to leave a review or send me a PM.