Chapter Fifteen

Author's Note: Thanks everyone for reviewing and once again I apologise at the irregular updates. I try to keep writing so I don't fall behind but I always seem to hit a large roadblock and forget how to write words. Anyhow, I hope you enjoy this chapter.

-SHANDY-

After the funeral everyone went back to Eileen's. In the home Eileen had placed some photos of Rosa, one from when she was young, one from Rose's birthday party a year or so ago and one from quite recent when they were at their "21st century realignment course". In every picture she was smiling.

There was plenty food and the atmosphere was not as sombre as expected. People were all chatting about memories. Andy and Soph getting all the condolences followed by an anecdote. It was a celebration of life.

Rose was sat in the corner of the room, she didn't know many of the people. Maura and she were having one of their disjointed conversations. She was sorry for the loss and sent her best wishes. She also provided her own tips for surviving a period and they discussed debate club.

Nicole sat beside her and smiled.

"Are you okay?" She asked.

"Yeah, just missing my friend." Rose answered. They nodded awkwardly at each other.

"So, I'm your half-sister, do you wanna ask me anything?" Nicole commented.

"No, we share a dad, from what I've heard your family wants nothing to do with me." Rose lied, she had exactly heard anything but Andy had barely mentioned Nicole to her before.

"That's not true. My mother wants to protect me. Dad is an alcoholic and…" Nicole tried

"Recovering, he's been sober since before I was born. He's a good man." Rose interrupted.

"I know, we've been hurt before but I know he tries. Trust me when I say my mother's opinions of you do not represent mine," Nicole assured her, "I always wanted a sister." She admitted.

"Yeah, sisters are great especially one like me." Rose grinned, Nicole laughed, she did laugh like their dad. The two continued to talk for the rest of the afternoon.

-SHANDY-

A week later, Andy found himself spending a lot of time with his ex-wife and his daughter and son in law to be. They had selected the venue some time ago but Nicole was keen to give her dad a tour.

"Are you having a photo booth?" He asked

"No Andrew, we already have a photographer" Sandra snapped.

"Oh ok. I meant a space for guests. Get an instant camera, so guests can write messages on their photos. " Andy explained, Sandra nodded curtly while Nicole sent him an apologetic smile. They moved through the venue, Andy in awe of the dance space and outside gardens

Nicole and Dean had decided not to marry in a church; it was a second wedding for both Bride and groom so they were happy with something smaller day.

When they got back to their cars Nicole looked at her mother meaningfully. Sandra rolled her eyes and looked at Andy.

"Andrew, if Rose wants to come she can, I won't make it difficult for her; she is a child and I suppose she is Nicole's family." Sandra offered, Nicole quickly stepping in.

"She seems like a really nice girl and I want to know my little sister." Nicole smiled handing her dad an invitation with Rose's name neatly written. Andy smiled and took it.

"Thanks for doing this with me. It looks a hell of lot better than…well you know what." Andy rubbed his neck, Nicole had married her high school sweetheart, the year after they graduated. Andy was still quite estranged but had voiced his concerns loudly. The two had eloped and it was safe to say that it was doomed from the start and lasted a total of 6 months. It wasn't talked about now.

"I'll pass it on. Now, I need to get going so call me if you need anything sweetheart." He kissed her cheek and got into his car. He couldn't wait for this wedding.

-SHANDY-

His excitement was short lived. Nicole wanted Max, her stepfather, to walk with her as she went down the aisle. So, the day before her wedding Andy was at work committing himself to the latest murder case. He wasn't surprised to see Emma Rios patrolling the area attempting to be damage control; once the media had something they'd run with until something else came along, they all knew that.

Provenza made a comment about his presence. Andy huffed, why was it his business anyway? It wasn't but he told him anyway.

"My daughter wants to walk with that stepfather of hers. I'm just the chequebook." He grumbled before leaving to call SID to dust the door for prints; this day was only get worse for Andy.

Across town at St Joseph's Rusty was attempting to study in class but Kris was watching him, she was just sat there looking over her shoulder and smiling at him. Had her parents not warned her off him yet? A part of him wished he could be honest with her but to do that; he'd have to be honest with himself.

While Rusty was stuck in English, Rose was in PE, it was her favourite class by a long shot. One of the older classes had joined them for a friendly lacrosse game. Usually Rose would be all in but today she was distracted; the hospital had told her that she had to stay on her meds but there was a new drug that could help her for cramps and such. She and her mom had yet to discuss it though; Sharon's new job was quite demanding.

On top of this, Lola was in the older class. Lola was cool, Lola was pretty, Lola was perfect. Rose had met Lola at debate club; she was the star of the St Joseph team if truth be told. It fascinated Rose that someone could be so good at arguing and for it to be a good thing.

Rose leaned against a tree trying to catch her breath. The older students ran a tough game. To be fair she had been told to be careful and not push herself but, being sick sucked. It ruined everything and it was just unfair.

"You've slowed down." A voice commented, Rose looked up seeing Lola, her cheeks turned red.

"Oh yeah, tough game." The younger girl managed to cough up.

"I'm surprised, heard you were pretty tough." The tall girl answered

"Really?" Rose caught her breath, the older students talked about her; people knew her.

"Yeah, your mom is cop, heard some crazy stuff went down." Lola smiled.

"Oh that, yeah I was kidnapped. It's no big deal though." Rose brushed it off. Lola stared at her for a moment.

"People have said that you had a gun." Lola told her.

"Ha. My mom has been cop for most of her adult life she would never let that happen. It was traumatic, but I had my support systems." Rose shrugged trying to pass an aire of coolness. She placed her hands behind her back and placing them on her back, maybe then her hands would be so clammy.

"I suppose. Will we see you at debate club?" Lola asked.

"Oh yeah, I hope to keep going there's that inter school thing soon, right?" Rose asked.

"Yeah. We'll be great with you on our team" Lola grinned and walked away with her class. Rose took a deep breath and pulled at her ponytail. As Maura had said when they talked she had it bad.

-SHANDY-

Sandra was beyond annoyed with him, he couldn't just cancel on Nicole after all they had rebuilt for him destroy it because of his ridiculous ego.

"Don't try and be complex Andrew, the reason you've decided not to come is because you are jealous. You are jealous because our daughter sees another man as her father; in addition to you. Here I was, thinking your new girlfriend had enlightened you. Your ego hasn't changed." His ex-wife raged down the phone at him.

"Sandra, don't. I have tried to build a new relationship with Nicole but asking him. It feels as though that's disregarded. I am her father, not him. I don't think it's …" he all but shouted down the phone.

"fair? Andrew if that word leaves your mouth I don't know what I'll do. Max was there for us, when you weren't. Maybe you couldn't help it but the fact still stands; it wasn't fair that Nicole had to grow up with unreliable father. Quite frankly it isn't fair that she has to wed without him too." Andy went to speak again but the call was abruptly ended. When he turned in his chair, Sharon and Provenza were watching him, both of them looking equally unimpressed.

"Andy, would you like to join me, to notify the parents." She stared at him with that expression I am about to prove a point without even trying. He hated that look because he always ended up looking like an idiot.

Oh Jesus. This was a difficult case, the parents were distraught and the suspect was nowhere to be found and even the man who had been the robbery victim, Frey was looking suspicious. The team had found some old trophies that contradicted what Frey had said about the victim Mateo.

Rusty arrived when school finished, passing on the message that Rose had an extra debate club meeting. Sharon looked at Andy with an eyebrow raised; none of her children had ever been this dedicated to a club. Rusty disappeared into his cube and Sharon put her attentions back to the case once again. It wasn't until Kris' mother arrived in the office did she consider her foster son's relationship with this young lady he had met at school.

-SHANDY-

Sharon entered her living room to find both Rose and Rusty at the dining table doing homework. As she quietly approached she could hear their conversation.

"Hang on. So, Kris likes you but you are not up for anything other than friends." Rose summarised.

"Yeah, I mean I like being her friend. She's helped me with a lot of stuff y'know. How do I say 'let's just be friends'?" Rusty had groaned.

"I don't know, be blunt. I'm not even 16 I don't know relationships." Rose scoffed

"Bring blunt is the opposite of what I should do," Rusty groaned, "How's the debate club?" Rusty's tone seemed to change when he said, 'debate club'. Sharon Paused, she contemplated staying quiet and spying but that wasn't her style to be honest so she shouted out her hello's; the conversation immediately stopped and greetings were sent back to her.

Kris' name came up a few more times and Sharon eventually met the much talked about Kris, when she joined Rusty, and Rose, at the PAB after school.

In her office Kris' mom was talking about how nice Rusty seemed.

"He seems like a very nice boy but as a mother, I have my concerns and I am sure you understand that yourself. Is Rusty free for dinner, say next week? It was such a shame he couldn't make it last week" Rebecca smiled and Sharon smiled back at her despite feeling frustrated at her foster son, who had never mentioned going to Kris' for dinner.

"I don't see any problems but Rusty is very independent you didn't need to come see me." Sharon smiled, she was slightly confused as to why the mother had come directly to her.

"I know but after what happened las week I wanted to make sure that you were okay with it." Sharon nodded, trying to look as though she knew what Rebecca was talking about. "He said things with his mother were difficult" Rebecca added, she had obviously noticed how oblivious Sharon was.

"Well, I don't know how much he has told you but I am handling the issues with his mother. It's complicated between them." Sharon explained trying not to reveal too much.

"Yes, I understand but Kris mentioned how much you have sacrifice in your life…" Rebecca began only to be interrupted by Amy asking for her. Sharon excused herself to the murder room and Rebecca left.

Things had gone from 0 to 100 very quickly. The team watched the victims emotional video about his experience with Fray. They all caught Rusty watching from the corner of the room. Rose too watched in horror as the truth was revealed to the team.

"So, what happened to Matteo is that what…" Rose began but her words tailed off as she looked at Rusty, his head down, eyes somewhat glassy. "I'll just go get some juice, you want anything?" She asked, he mumbled something.

"No. I was selling myself. That kid is different." He told her.

"Maybe not as much as you think." Rose told him before leaving him in the cube he often resided in.

Fray was a total snake, denying everything and because of the statute of limitations he could afford to be that way, the team was very lucky to have such a diplomatic boss, Sharon suggested a press release, one that would avoid them being sued but allow them to reach out to other ex-students of Fray's.

-SHANDY-

Sharon crept into her house quite late, she found Rusty in the living room. A book in his hand, he looked dressed for bed.

"So, Kris' mom came to see me." Sharon commented on her way past him.

"Really," he paused to yawn and began gathering his things.

"She seemed to be under the impression that you were supposed to be at her house for dinner last week, you know anything about that?" She asked with a smile.

"Err, yeah. I was invited but some school work came up. No big deal." He shrugged leaving the room. Sharon smirked but caught him at the top of the stairs.

"You have been invited again and you will go. Kris seems nice and you are being immature by brushing her aside without reason." Sharon told him firmly. Rusty sighed and mumbled his response. They both stood for a moment in silence.

"Rusty, I know you find it difficult to talk to me, I'm wondering if perhaps you should find someone else to talk to, a professional" Sharon suggested. She didn't like that he bottled things up and she wanted to help him.

"No Shrinks Sharon!" He shouted, he had told her this before; did she not listen to him at all.

"Rusty, if you are struggling to understand some things in your life maybe a counsellor can help. There are many young people who need to process things like relationships and with your past it might…" She tried to explain.

"Relationships. Look at your own life, you stopped a guy seeing his kid. I don't need a shrink" He shouted at her, his eyes became wide that was a low blow and he knew it. He stepped forward to her but she stepped back.

"That is none of your business. We have worked past that, in fact we used a counsellor to do so." Sharon told him.

"I know, I'm sorry. I just…I'm trying and I'm not ready to talk." Rusty admitted, Sharon nodded and smiled at him. She couldn't fault him for not trying; yes he was terrible at relationships with others but he had managed to pick up his life after such a traumatic childhood.

-SHANDY-

Author's Note: I had planned to include a little more in this chapter but it was becoming kind of long and I feel longer chapters are harder to follow, what do you think?

Thanks for reading

Next Time: "She's jealous, babe." Andy whispered as they followed them in. Sharon only hummed.

"I guess I'll go sit. Good luck." She smiled kissing his cheek.