She nearly bumped into Julio as she turned a corner in the hallway.

"Oh, sorry, Ma'am," he said, stopping in his tracks to avoid colliding with her.

Startled, she looked up at him, having stopped in her own tracks. "Oh, don't worry about it. I should watch where I'm going," she smiled and waved a hand through the air. If she didn't know better she would say Julio looked a little rattled. He had been on edge because of DCFS, but so far hadn't seemed that out of sorts. She looked down the hallway. "Er," his appearance had distracted her, "have you seen Rusty? Buzz told me he ran out of the murder room."

He offered her a tight smile, straightened up and put his hands behind his back. "Yes, Ma'am, I just saw him." He paused for a moment, as if deciding whether to mention anything or not. "I think he just tried to make my case in front of Cynthia," he said through a chuckle.

She raised an eyebrow at him. "He did?"

"Yes, Ma'am," he nodded.

She cocked her head at him, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "High praise, I hope?"

"I think so, yes." He shifted his weight from one foot to another, and glanced at the floor for a moment.

He was rattled, she thought. "Is everything alright, Julio?" She knew he was worried about Cynthia's interviews, but she was fairly certain he would be cleared for fostering. She couldn't imagine him doubting himself too much either. But then again this opportunity did mean a lot to him.

He nodded again. "Yes, Ma'am." As succinct as ever, she thought.

"Okay then." She looked around again. Knowing Julio, it didn't do to press him with questions. He would share if he felt he needed to. "I had better find Rusty, then."

She turned to leave, but his "Captain?" had her turn back to him instead.

"Yes, Julio?" She regarded him. He was more tense than usually. Understandable under the circumstances, but it was still slightly unnerving, considering his otherwise calm, controlled and collected demeanor. Not that he was fidgety now, but he wasn't really calm, that much was clear.

He squared his shoulders and looked at her, that determined look of his dancing across his features. "Thank you," was all he said.

Now this threw her completely. Her eyes widened, her brows drew together, all in less than a second before she settled for a more curious expression. "What for, Julio?"

"For having my back. For tolerating my being late." He went silent for a moment and his eyes flickered to his feet, then back to her eyes, before adding, "I apologize for being distracted, Ma'am."

She didn't do this often, least of all with Julio, but she lightly patted his shoulder and ran her hand down his arm. "It's not an issue, Julio." She fixed him with a pointed look. "And I know this is only temporary."

He scoffed. "Yes, I hope so. Lieutenant Provenza's been on my case about it. I'll make sure it doesn't happen again."

She laughed at him. "Oh, Lieutenant Provenza has been on my case for 5 years now." The amusement that crossed her face had Julio's shoulders shaking in silent laughter. "His way of showing he cares," she added, an air of lightheartedness about her. Anyone else, and he would have expected her to wink, which she didn't, of course. But her eyes did sparkle with amusement.

Her features turned more somber after a moment. "You don't have anything to worry about. I am confident Cynthia will deem you fit for being a foster parent." Her expression softened. "And once you become one, we'll make sure you manage, with work and everything else your foster child might throw at you." Her piercing gaze of, what he chose to interpret as her utmost faith in him, a hint of determination, too, underlined her words.

He relaxed slightly, his hands leaving his back to hang loosely at his sides. "I appreciate that."

Briefly she considered telling him about the medal of valor, even though it wasn't her place to do so. Chief Taylor was set to announce it. Instead she offered him a sympathetic smile. "Should you have any questions or be in need of some friendly advice, my door is always open, Julio." She pinned him with a knowing look and shrugged. "Being a foster parent can sometimes be a juggling act. Especially in our line of business."

At that, Rusty entered the hallway. Upon seeing Sharon, he shrugged, "Buzz said you were looking for me?"

She gave Julio a look that clearly meant "Case in point." and turned to face Rusty. "Yes," she held up a finger, indicating he should wait a second, she would be right with him. Returning her focus to Julio, she raised an eyebrow at him and smiled softly.

He gave her a solemn nod. "I know, Ma'am." And with that he turned to walk back into the murder room.

Her gaze followed him until he disappeared from view. The wistful aura that sometimes seemed to surround her detective hit her in full force, overwhelming her even. She made a mental note to keep him in her prayers. He deserved some light in his life, she thought. If fostering was the light he was looking for, he most definitely deserved it.

"Mom?" Rusty broke her out of her thoughts.

"Yes, Rusty," and with that she went to tend to her own, albeit former, foster child.

Okay, this was hard to write. It's also rather short. But with a not so talkative Julio, not surprising? He is such an enigma sometimes. I want Sharon to be supportive of him. He's quite protective of her. Not to mention his respect for her. I simply feel that, considering her own experience in fostering, the two of them would share a moment or two talking about it. I would consider this maybe being one of them.

Hit me with your reviews! ;)

And thank you so much for reading!