Rusty woke to see the sun shining through the slightly opened blinds in his window. Feeling puzzled, he glanced at the clock on his nightstand and was surprised that it was close to ten. He rarely ever slept in since Sharon was often called out to crime scenes and always had to be at work early. A panicky feeling overtook him as the events of the early morning hours hit him. Did Sharon hate him for his spontaneous crying spell? His own mother, the one time he had cried, had looked at him in disapproval telling him crying was only for babies. Jumping out of bed, his heart pounding, he rushed to the living room where he saw Sharon and Dr. Joe drinking warm beverages at the table. Sharon was dressed casually in jeans and a blue sweater. Her hair was pulled up into a ponytail and although she had dark circles under her eyes she smiled at him warmly.

"Sharon, what's going on? Why are we still here? Dr. Joe what are you doing here?"

"Good morning Rusty. I made pancakes if you would like some. I figured we both needed some time off, so I rescheduled our meeting with Chief Taylor and Dr. Joe offered to come here so you can talk to him when or if you are ready,"

Still a little uncertain Rusty said,

"We're staying home today? You're not mad at me for last night?"

Sharon's eyebrows narrowed in concern and she tilted her head a little as she looked at him.

"Yes, we're staying here today and why would I be mad at you for last night?"

Rusty looked back and forth between Sharon and Dr. Joe, both wore the same look of concern.

"It's just…. I cried…. loudly. I woke you up and concerned the security guards. I made your shirt wet…. You're not angry at me?"

Sharon's eyes glistened with tears as she shook her head.

"You're not even disappointed or think I'm a baby?"

"Oh honey, no. I think you are brave. Crying doesn't make you a baby, it's just the body's way of dealing with pent up emotions,"

"Oh," he said looking at the ground shyly.

Glancing at Dr. Joe, who nodded his head encouragingly, Sharon stood up and walked closer to him. Rusty would you like me to heat up your breakfast or leave you alone to talk to Dr. Joe?"

After a few moments Rusty with his eyes on Dr. Joe said,

"I'd like to get out of my pajamas and into regular clothes if you don't mind,"

"Absolutely. I'll be here when you are ready," Dr. Joe replied, casually taking a sip of his coffee lightly sweetened with organic brown sugar.

It didn't take Rusty long to change, and when he arrived, Sharon placed a plate of pancakes and seasonal fruit in front of him along with hot chocolate. She turned to leave when he reached a hand out stopping her.

"You can stay, if you want,"

Sharon glanced over at Dr. Joe who nodded. Trying not to make a big deal out of his gesture, she sat down and remained quiet, allowing Dr. Joe to start.

It was an intense but good session. Rusty opened up sharing his feelings on being part of a police action. He admitted it was harder than he expected being out on the streets, especially after Dr. Joe had told him what those men did to him was rape. He ended with how frustrated he was with his mother, and how difficult it was at times to know how much Sharon loved him.

"I just feel I don't deserve your love," He said looking at his foster mom.

Sharon swallowed against the lump in her throat. She never thought she'd see the day where he willingly shared his feelings. She was so proud of him. He had grown so much in the past few months. He still had a way to go with his anger spurts, but she had faith he would get through that as well.

Looking between Rusty and Sharon, Dr. Joe nodded his head,

"This was a really good session Rusty," he said grabbing his bag.

"One last thing before I leave. You deserve to be loved. Remember that,"

Then with a smile towards the pair he walked to the door, Sharon rising to escort him out.

The rest of the afternoon, Sharon and Rusty spent time watching comedies, baking chocolate chip cookies, and in the evening they both decided to chill out in the front room. Sharon was reading one of the books she had purchased and never had time to read, and Rusty was playing chess with the computer when her cell phone rang.

Setting her book on the coffee table, she reached for the phone and looked down at the screen to see if she recognized the number. Rusty watched her frown and then standing up she walked towards her bedroom to answer it. He wondered who it was and after a minute he walked down the hallway with the pretense of needing something from his bedroom. He stopped abruptly when he realized her door was open. Standing in the corner where she couldn't see him, he observed her knowing something was wrong by the way she kept massaging her left temple and pushing her hair behind her ear. Having a feeling it had to do with Paul, he slowly crept back to the couch, where he lay down. She would tell him, but it was difficult after such a great day with her. He comforted himself with the thought that the sooner they caught him, the sooner their lives would go back to the way it used to be.

"What does this letter say?" Sharon asked trying to remain professional although she knew it had to be bad for Chief Taylor to call her.

"I'm sorry Sharon, but I've warned you. Your precious time with him is done," Chief Taylor read.

"That's it? That's all he wrote?" she asked feeling sick. Standing up, she paced back and forth in an effort to relieve the panic she was feeling.

"We're taking this letter more seriously than the others," Taylor replied.

"Det Sanchez has offered to stay the night on guard in your condo. I also have undercover officers canvassing your neighborhood. If Paul, or whatever his name is, tries to harm Rusty or you tonight, he'll be caught. I know you're going to object to this, but I'm setting up another operation for Rusty tomorrow,"

"Sir!"

"Before you get too upset, the streets are going to be crawling with undercover officers. I personally think this guy is too smart to attack at your condo or even during our normal undercover mission. But, if we put a news report out with Rusty's picture saying he has disappeared and the police are asking for any information regarding him, I'm sure this guy will go looking,"

"Chief, I highly doubt that will work. From everything I've read, and Rusty has told me, he's intelligent. He'll know, or at least strongly suspect, what we're up to,"

"Well it's either this or you can wait for him to strike and who knows where or when that'll be. I just figured it would be better if we proactively draw him out with officers available and ready to take him down than say at the grocery store when you're by yourself. But, I'm open for suggestions,"

Sighing, Sharon ran a hand through her hair. "I have no suggestions Chief. This guy is a mystery to me. I wish more than anything though that this whole situation had never started in the first place. I wish that Rusty could just live here, go to school, and attend that chess club he loves so much,"

"I wish that too Captain, but we've got to deal with the present circumstances. Besides once we catch him both your lives will return to normal. I expect you all by seven tomorrow morning,"

"Yes, sir," she replied hanging up the phone and setting it on the bed. Letting out a frustrated groan she lay on the comforter, something she never did for fear of dirtying it. She was so sick and tired of this guy ruining their lives. Today had been a perfect day and he had opened up to her. She had no idea how he was going to take being told he had to go back out and be used as bait again. Sitting up, she was surprised to see him standing a few feet from her door.

"Sharon?" Rusty asked cautiously.

"Was that someone from the team?"

Sharon nodded. "Chief Taylor called Rusty. Another letter was delivered to the precinct. He thinks if we put your picture on the news saying that the police were looking into your disappearance and wanted any information regarding your whereabouts, and then put you back out on the streets, we can catch Paul,"

Rusty nodded unsurprised.

"I am so sorry that we keep putting you out there. I know its emotionally draining,"

"It's fine. Let's just catch this guy," he said and Sharon watched with a sinking heart as his face turned blank and with a nod he walked to his bedroom. Grabbing one of the many decorative pillows on her bed, she sank back and held it close to her. She knew sleep was going to be hard to come by tonight.

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Thanks again to everyone who has reviewed or is following this story. Happy Holidays!