She heard him clear his throat and instantly knew that sound. Sharon's eyes opened, and she saw Rusty sitting there reading a book. It looked like some sort of textbook, most likely something for one of his classes. She moved her arm toward his leg. He was sitting there, his legs crossed, and she tapped the end of his foot. His eyes instantly darted up to her.

"Mom, finally," he smiled and snapped his book closed to sit up and talk to her. "I was beginning to think Andy was making up the fact that you were awake."

Sharon gave him a small smile and studied him, her eyes looking over him, her youngest son, and she squeezed his foot, "Rusty, it's good to see you."

"Are you feeling okay? Do you need anything? Andy said you were thirsty," he said jumping up and looking for water. "I'll get you something to drink," he said in an almost panic.

"Rusty," she said in a firm, but kind tone, "I'm okay right now. I'd just like to see you, to talk to you."

"Oh, right," he flashed a smile at her. "It's so good to see you awake, Sharon. We've been really worried, all of us. Even in a coma, that 'Sharon Effect' Nicole jokes about has still been working. Andy and I have been sitting here day after day, night after night together worried about you. I guess we've bonded," he paused as he said it, almost just realizing the point.

Sharon chuckled slightly and closed her eyes, "Sorry, I'm just still hurting everywhere and in a bit of a haze."

"Do you need something? Should I get the nurse?" Rusty asked, still not sure how he should help Sharon.

"I'll be okay," she waved at him. "I'm awake, and it's good to hear you and Andy have been getting along, even at my expense, sitting here at the hospital. Why don't you tell me what has been going on this last month? It seems I've been a bit out of it."

"Yeah, well, okay," Rusty nodded and sat back in his chair, his posture changing. Sharon opened her eyes and looked to him. She could tell he was starting to relax, starting to get used to the idea that Sharon was awake and going to be okay. "I have missed you a lot. I have so much to tell you, to ask you. I mean, things with Gus, they are, well," he nodded and continued, "good, I guess. I mean, it's weird trying to figure out a relationship. I've never really been in one before. I don't even know if some of the things are normal or I'm overreacting or overthinking. I mean, I have been so conflicted, I've even gone to Andy for advice. How weird is that?" he rolled his eyes slightly. Sharon chuckled and continued to listen. Rusty started to shift and fidget in his chair. "So, like, I've asked Andy for some advice, and yeah, yeah," he gestured with his hand, "you told me, right? I figured between Andy and Lieutenant Provenza, Andy was probably better on the relationship advice front. At least he's not on like his fifth wife now. He was just married and divorced one time, so just one screwed up marriage." Sharon raised and eyebrow and turned to look at him. He saw her face, and he quickly started to gesture again, "Sorry, not what you want to hear."

"Hmm," Sharon nodded. "I'm aware of Andy's past. My past is colorful as well, Rusty."

"Right, so is mine," he rolled his eyes. "So, yeah, I've asked Andy for some advice. Sharon, he's so frustrating sometimes! I mean, I'll lay it all out; I'll tell him the whole problem, the whole story, and you know what he says almost every single time? Every time!"

Sharon yawned and closed her eyes again, "I'm here listening, Rusty, but I'm still rather tired. The light is bothering my eyes still a little. I know what I would tell you; I'd tell you to talk to Gus."

"Did he already tell you about this? That's exactly what he says! He tells me, 'Rusty, you should talk to Gus.' I mean, what kind of guidance is that? That doesn't help me with sorting through my mess. You two already talked about me!"

"Rusty, I assure you we haven't discussed you and Gus," Sharon said in a flat tone and yawned again.

"Then, that's just weird, Sharon, how you two always know what the other is thinking," he told her.

"Hmm, I'm not sure it's knowing what he's thinking, but it is the best advice. You are always welcome to talk to both of us, but ultimately, the relationship is between you and Gus. You and Gus need to talk to each other. That's how Andy and I started even growing closer. We started talking more and more, about anything and everything. That developed into a deep friendship and then something more."

"Lalalalalalala," Rusty covered his ears. "I don't need to hear the something more part, Sharon. I mean, you're like my mom," he grimaced. Sharon, with her eyes closed, smiled at that, and she nodded to him, turning and opening her eyes.

"I am your mom," she smiled at him. "As your mom, I'm telling you relationships take work. Are you two having problems?"

"No, it's not like a problem, just little things," he shrugged. "It's like things others might think are silly."

She smiled at him, an almost sly smile, "Like Andy not unloading the dishwasher?"

"Oh, that's just insane, Sharon! How does someone claim they didn't notice it was full? That's so annoying! I mean, I've started leaving notes for him to unload it, like after I've started it. He even forgets to start it. He'll put the soap in it, and then, he walks away. Yeah, it's all things like that."

"Rusty, that's all an adjustment to another person. You and I had our share of times like that. You need to talk to Gus. Andy and I have talked about the dishwasher. Have you spoken to him about it? You said you've been leaving him notes."

"Well, yeah, the notes were partly his idea. We talked about how he's so forgetful with the dishwasher, and he said something about how it's not intentional. He joked about leaving him a note, and I do now," he slumped back and sighed.

"And?" Sharon asked.

"It's a little better," Rusty nodded.

"Hmm, talking does help. Whatever is bothering you about Gus, talk to him. You and I had several heated discussions when you moved in. I clearly remember you wanting to sleep on the couch while I wanted you to have your room. We worked through it, obviously, or you'd still be sleeping on the couch," she said, yawning again.

"Oh, which reminds me of another Flynnism that annoys me. Lieutenant Provenza and I have compared notes on annoying Andy habits. We've been doing that at dinner when Patrice has had me over to eat, which has been often. This one, this annoying habit," Rusty pointed his finger in gesture, "the lieutenant has seen Andy do too."

"What's that?" Sharon asked. "I'm happy to hear you calling Andy by his name on a regular basis. That's progress."

"It's because you both made it such a big deal!" Rusty exclaimed. "I don't know why it mattered."

"It only matters because it sounds ridiculous for Andy to be living in our home, the almost father figure in your life, and you call him Lieutenant," she chuckled. "Anyway, continue, please, Rusty."

"Well, you brought up the couch, and let me tell you another annoying thing about Andy. So, we've barely been home. I mean, Sharon, the guy has been glued to this seat. He's been a mess; we all have, and if you had any doubts the man loved you, well, he does. Lieutenant Provenza has had to drag him out of here several times and force him to eat something, but Andy, yeah, he loves you."

"I have no doubt, Rusty," she closed her eyes and hummed as she smiled. "I love Andy very much. He wouldn't be living with us if I didn't."

"Yeah, I don't need the parental mushy stuff," he grimaced. "Let's just say that Andy Flynn, well, he and the couch basically have a sleeping arrangement. I mean, even before this, I knew the guy always fell asleep on the couch, ALWAYS, Sharon. You know that, and in fact, you're just as bad. So, our evenings would be spent here a lot, except when he had to go into work or had to be somewhere, or I had class. We'd finally go home, and Andy, he'd just flop on the couch. He'd go through the same motion each night. He'd turn on the news to just drown out the day, and he'd stretch out on the couch. I don't know why he bothered; he knew he was going to fall asleep. He would have been better to go into your room and do that where at least he would be in bed. So, the remote, Sharon. I mean, it's my house too, and he'd hold that remote in his hand, usually putting it on his stomach. Within a few minutes every single night, he would fall asleep, and then, I'm supposed to try and fish the remote from his hands, where-let's face it-it's slipped somewhere, and the last thing I want to do is dig around Andy to find the remote. So, yeah, there's another really annoying thing."

Sharon chuckled, and she pursed her lips. She opened her eyes again to look at Rusty, "Perhaps, Rusty, have you considered that it was hard for Andy to go into our room and sleep there without me? Maybe the couch was safe for him. He knew he could sleep there, but our room, it was just too much. You said this has been hard. I don't doubt it. I'm awake now, but I'm certain there were days you didn't know what the outcome might be."

"Yeah," Rusty frowned and looked down, aware Sharon had made a good point. "I guess I didn't think of it like that."

"Talking to Andy might have helped," she chuckled. "Still," she yawned again, "I'm glad you two are doing well together and neither of you has moved out of the condo."

"We'll be there waiting for your return," Rusty grinned. "I'm so relieved you are awake."

"Me too, Rusty," she yawned. "Tell me more."

"Everything at home is fine, well," he rolled his eyes, "except for Andy walking around in his boxers all the time. I've been on laundry duty, and now, I'm even washing them. Sharon, that's just messed up. I mean, I'm glad to pitch in, but let's just say a few years ago when I was pulled into the police station, I didn't think I'd end up doing Andy Flynn's laundry while living in your condo."

Sharon burst out laughing and instantly closed her eyes, "Oh, it still just hurts everywhere."

Rusty jumped up, "Can I get you anything?"

"Water, please," she nodded. Rusty helped her sip the water, and then, when she seemed settled, he sat again. "Thank you."

"Sure, and if you need anything else, let me know. Andy said he was coming by later with food. He really needs to take it easy himself. I mean, with everything he's had-" Rusty stopped talking suddenly, and he shook his head. "Anyway, he'll be by later."

"I'm glad you are here. Tell me, how are your brother and sister?" Sharon asked.

He shrugged, "I don't know, really. I mean, they came here after you were shot. Ricky stayed a few days, and Emily stayed a little longer especially with all that went on, but they had to get back to work. I know they hated to leave. Since then," he gave her a shrug again, "I mean, I don't really talk to them. We have been texting about everything, about Andy, about you, but it's not like I've been asking about their feelings or whatever. I mean, you know," he made a face.

"Yes, siblings," she sighed.

"Here, I'll text them now," Rusty pulled out his phone. "We can even do a selfie," he flashed a grin, and before Sharon could protest, he took a quick picture of the two of them.

"Rusty, I look horrible!" Sharon said. "The nurses want to get me up and cleaned up here this afternoon."

"You're not dead, Sharon, and I mean, hello, these are your kids. I think they'll be okay with a picture. I'll even send it to Andy," he flashed a grin. "You know if he didn't mind seeing you like this, he's a keeper."

"Rusty," Sharon swatted at him. "There are times you sound like a small child."

"Ahh, you say that to Andy and Provenza too, all the time," he grinned. "I'm just relieved, Mom, relieved you are going to get better," he paused and sat forward, serious, for the first time in several minutes. "You and Andy will be good as new. I mean, as annoying as Andy can be," he paused, "he's been good to me, and he's a good guy. I guess I'm just glad now to have someone to vent to about his strange habits and to get advice about Gus, but even that sounds like you're going to say the same aas Andy. I'm just glad you two are going to be okay."

Sharon gave him an odd look, wondering about that statement, but before she could say anything, Rusty's phone started to ding. He held it up, "See, the siblings are doing fine and glad you are too. Emily said you needed to be pampered, so apparently, I'm supposed to do that, whatever it means. Do you want more water?"

"No, I'm fine," she patted his hand. "I am listening, but I'm closing my eyes now. I'm still so exhausted."

"It's all so strange to me, Sharon. You've been sleeping so long, and yet, you're so tired. I get it, but I don't," he said. As Rusty continued to talk, Sharon drifted off to a light sleep, patting Rusty's arm every now and then, almost as if she was actively listening to him.

"I can't wait to get home, Rusty," she mumbled later, not sure if she'd said that in the middle of Rusty talking.