A/N: This is the sixteenth chapter! Special thanks to my amazing beta CMemlovr for beta reading! Please review for the next chapter! I hope you like it!
The weekend had unfortunately come to a close, and Monday morning found Sharon getting ready for work. Still exhausted, Sharon was dreading a day at work, despite loving her job. She assumed that it was a symptom of her pregnancy, and that the constant fatigue would subside once she'd given birth.
Smiling lightly as she made her way to her bedroom door, she heard Andy and Rusty conversing lightly and decided to join them.
"Morning, mom," greeted Rusty brightly.
Turning, Andy took Sharon by the hand as she replied, "Good morning, Rusty," her voice betraying her tiredness.
"How are you feeling?" murmured Andy quietly.
"Fine, just a little tired," she replied.
"Do you want to take the day off?" he asked worriedly.
"I'll be fine, Andy," she sighed, "don't worry so much."
"Okay," he replied dourly. He didn't want to push, knowing that she'd just push back harder as his boss. Shifting his attention back to Sharon, he caught the tail-end of her conversation with Rusty.
"I understand, Mom, I just don't agree," replied Rusty unhappily.
"What's going on?" asked Andy, confused.
"Nothing, Andy. I just reminded Rusty of some safety precautions he ought to be taking."
"Don't push him, Sharon. He's old enough to handle it if he needs to."
"Thank you, Andy," interjected Rusty appreciatively.
"Anytime, kid."
"You've turned on me, haven't you?" asked Sharon, only half-teasing.
"No, I just think you shouldn't worry so much about him – he's got a good head on his shoulders."
"Much as I'd like to debate this, Andy and I are late, Rusty. We'll see you later – take care of yourself!" she called as she frantically pressed a kiss to Rusty's cheek before pulling Andy out of the apartment.
********...********
By the time Sharon and Andy had arrived at work, they were greeted by a new case.
"Information on the victim," announced Provenza, handing a folder to Sharon.
"Thanks. Any suspects so far?"
"The victim's father looks food for it," interjected Amy.
"But?"
"He's not confessing to anything," she admitted reluctantly.
"Or he hasn't done anything," intoned Andy.
"Where is he now?" asked Sharon.
"Interview one," grunted Provenza, "Julio and Mike have him."
"Alright, it's my turn, then," said Sharon firmly, handing off the folder to Provenza.
"Uh, Sharon?" Andy piped up worriedly.
"Yes?" she replied with a touch of impatience.
"Would you like me in there with you?" he asked pointedly.
"No, thank you, Lieutenant. I can handle it."
"Just a moment, Captain," interrupted Amy, "we're also looking at the brother."
"And where is he?" asked Sharon.
"Looks like he's on the run."
"Alright, can you focus on searching for him, then? There has to be a reason he's hiding, and I want to know why by the end of today."
Sensing that their briefing had drawn to a close, Provenza and Andy followed Sharon to the interview room.
Andy couldn't conceal his concern for Sharon; he was proud that, even exhausted, she'd been able to continue commanding her team, but he worried that she was stretching herself too thin.
******** ... ********
An hour later, Sharon sat in her office, attempting to concentrate on her work. Despite her efforts, she seemed unable to focus. Huffing with frustration, she slipped her glasses from her face and rubbed her eyes. She started when a knock jolted her from her thoughts, smiling when she saw Andy standing in her doorway.
"You got a minute?" he asked.
"Always, for you," she smiled, gesturing for him to come in.
"How are you feeling?"
"Still tired, but it's completely normal at this stage of the pregnancy. Don't worry," she chided softly.
Taking her hand, he replied, "I'll take your word for it."
The moment was interrupted by Buzz.
"I'm sorry to bother you, Captain, but I think you need to see this," he stated, handing a disc to Sharon.
Nodding, Sharon thanked Buzz, allowing him to take his leave. Andy frowned, annoyed that his moment of privacy with Sharon had been interrupted.
Sharon, on the other hand, had immediately begun watching the recordings Buzz had given her, only pausing the video when she noticed Andy watching her pensively.
"What's the matter?" she asked, unnerved.
"I'm just thinking about work."
"What about work?" she pressed.
"It's just – don't you ever get tired of the interruptions?" he frowned.
Sharon laughed outright, "Did you expect privacy at work, Andy? It's hardly surprising," she teased, returning to the video on her computer. Andy moved closer to Sharon.
"I get it, I just wish they'd knock," he grumbled.
Shutting her laptop, Sharon turned to face him, "It's not really a big deal – we're on a case, which means that my door is always open to the team."
Andy nodded lightly, "I know," he replied, effectively chastised. Brightening slightly, he asked, "Want to grab some lunch? You have to be hungry by now," he wheedled.
Smiling at his antics, Sharon assented to his suggestion; she was hungry, after all.
******** ... ********
At home, Rusty continued to study for his exams. Ignoring the world around him, his concentration was broken by the jarring sound of his phone's ringtone. Glancing at the number on caller ID, he realised that it was not one he'd seen before. Curious, he picked up the phone.
"Hello?" he said quietly.
"Rusty?!" a familiar female voice called for him, sounding as though she'd been crying. Instinctively, Rusty knew that it was his biological mother.
"Mom?" he asked.
"It's me, baby," she replied, sniffling.
"Why'd you call?" he blurted out, surprised.
"I wanted to hear your voice," she whispered, crying.
"What's wrong, mom? Why are you crying?"
"I'm just happy to hear your voice; you can't imagine how much I miss you." Rusty was at a loss. How did he respond to that? "Are you okay?" she asked, noting his silence.
"I'm fine – nothing unusual, here."
"I'm glad," she sniffed.
A thought came to him suddenly, and he decided to address it head on –
"If you're calling to hassle Sharon, forget it. Mom is already under a lot of pressure - between work and the pregnancy - so you have to keep your promise to me, understand?" he instructed sharply.
"That's not why I called!" she protested, "I just wanted to hear your voice," she mumbled, dissolving into tears.
Sighing, Rusty muttered," Thanks, I guess. Do you mind if we do this another time, then? I've got exams coming up."
"That's okay. Good luck, baby."
"Thanks," he replied hesitantly, hanging up.
Something told him that Sharon would want to know about this, but he wasn't sure how to tell her.
********...********
It was well after noon, and Sharon was waiting for Andy to come to her office.
"Sharon," Andy smiled, entering her office. Standing, she smirked lightly and kissed him.
"I've been expecting you," she chuckled.
"Sorry – got held up with Provenza."
"It's alright," she smiled.
"You still feeling tired?"
"No, thankfully not."
Andy smiled and took her hand. In that instant, Sharon felt something in her belly. Grinning, she rubbed her belly lightly, pressing Andy's hand to her skin.
"What are you doing?" asked Andy, confused.
"Just wait," she smiled. After a moment, she asked, "did you feel it?"
Andy's expression melted as he nodded, "Yeah," he murmured.
"I'd forgotten how amazing it is to experience," she admitted, her eyes misting over.
Awestruck, Andy continued to rub her belly absent-mindedly, "It's…amazing." Feeling another kick, Andy laughed and spoke to her belly, "We know you're there, kid."
Sharon beamed – the first indication that her child was lively and growing meant the world to her.
******** ... ********
When Sharon and Andy arrived home, they found Rusty consumed by his studies. Though proud of his dedication, Sharon noticed that something was off.
Putting her hand on his shoulder she leaned down to speak to him, "Give yourself a break, Rusty. It's important to pace yourself," she reminded him gently.
"No time like the present, then," replied Rusty, throwing down his pen and stretching out.
Noting his expression, Sharon prodded him, "Is there anything else that's been bothering you?"
"Well-"
Taking his hand reassuringly, Sharon murmured, "Don't worry about how you say it – just let it out," she smiled. Andy joined them on the couch for support.
"I need you to promise me that you won't freak out," cautioned Rusty.
"That bad?" she mused softly, expertly hiding her concern.
"No, well, I don't know," he murmured anxiously.
"Alright, I promise not to 'freak out'. What is it?" a hint of worry entered her tone, though she did her best to hide it.
Hesitating, Rusty dawdled in his response, "Uh…my mom – I mean, my other mom – she called me today."
Sharon's eyes widened anxiously. "Sharon called you?" Sensing her discomfort, Andy took her hand and squeezed it gently, reminding her that she needed to try to stay calm. "Why?" she asked, shakily.
"It's not like you think," defended Rusty quickly, hoping to also reassure his mom, "she called to see how I am. She cried – said that she missed me." Picking at a non-existent ball of lint on his trousers, he added sheepishly, "I hoped that she was being honest, this time."
Sharon's expression softened, "I understand Rusty. You miss her, too – and that's completely normal," assured Sharon, "but you know that we can't trust her completely." She hoped that the warning was not too sharp, but she needed him to understand her position.
"I know, mom," he replied dully, "I just wanted to make sure you knew."
Sharon smiled comfortingly at him, kissing his cheek softly, "I'm glad you did, Rusty."
Abruptly, Rusty made for his room, feeling the need for privacy.
Worry gnawed Sharon's gut as she sat alone with Andy, her hand in his.
"He doesn't mean anything by his behaviour, Sharon," consoled Andy quietly, predicting the path her thoughts had taken.
"It's not him I'm worried about," sighed Sharon, "something tells me that Sharon has a plan in motion, and I'm not sure how I can protect Rusty if I can't predict what she might do."
"Do you want me to call the team?" he offered, hoping to comfort her.
"No, no. I'm sorry – I can't help getting worked up when Sharon's mentioned." She snuggled into his side to comfort herself.
"I know you're worried, Sharon. But you have to see that it's not doing you or the baby any good," pointed out Andy calmly. "Besides which, she is his biological mother – maybe she's finally realised what a good kid she has and wants a better relationship with him," he suggested optimistically.
"I hope so, for his sake," murmured Sharon uncomfortably.
"C'mon, Sharon, you need to rest," insisted Andy, "maybe it'll look better in the morning," he added wryly.
He hoped that Sharon would be able to stop worrying long enough to get some much-needed sleep.
******** ... ********
Despite her best efforts, Sharon couldn't sleep. Thoughts about Sharon Beck kept swirling in her mind, making it impossible for her to find even a moment's rest. Feeling her restless shifting beside him, Andy woke slowly, rubbing his eyes tiredly.
"Sharon?" he mumbled.
"Sorry," she muttered, "I didn't mean to wake you."
"'S fine," he slurred sleepily, "You still thinkin' 'bout Rusty?" he yawned.
Nodding, Sharon whispered, "I don't like that she called him – it worries me."
Shifting closer, Andy pressed a kiss to her forehead comfortingly. "I know, honey. But you need to try and get some sleep, right now. C'mon," he pulled her into his arms, circling them around her tightly, "we can talk about our options with Rusty tomorrow."
Feeling safe in his embrace, Sharon hunkered down, whispering a muted, "thanks," to Andy before allowing her eyes to drift shut.
*********...********
Sharon sat pensively in her office the next day, lost in her thoughts about Sharon Beck. She was interrupted by Andrea's sudden and unexpected appearance in her office.
"Hi, Sharon," greeted Andrea, slipping into a seat opposite Sharon's desk.
"What a lovely surprise," returned Sharon warmly, "What are you doing here?"
"I bumped into Andy a little while ago and decided to check in," shrugged Andrea, "everything okay?" Sharon remained silent, contemplating how to formulate her response. Noting her distress, Andrea broke the silence that had fallen, "What's going on, Sharon?"
"Sharon Beck called Rusty yesterday," huffed Sharon.
"Why?"
"Rusty said that she'd just wanted to tell him how much she'd missed him," shrugged Sharon wearily.
"But you think she's playing some kind of game?" pressed Andrea.
"Well, yeah. So, of course, I spent the night tossing and turning because – I just can't figure her out," complained Sharon worriedly.
Andrea took her hand consolingly, "I know it's stressing you out, Sharon, but maybe that's why you should let the team deal with it," she suggested, "you can't be worrying like this."
"No, no. That's not going to happen," insisted Sharon. Then, softening slightly, she added, "but thank you, for caring enough to suggest it."
"I only want what's best for you," smiled Andrea.
"Thanks," she repeated. Brightening, she playfully asked, "Guess what happened yesterday?"
"What?" asked Andrea, thankful for the shift in mood.
"I was alone with Andy in my office, and the baby kicked for the first time," she replied proudly.
"Oh! I'm so happy for you," she returned earnestly, "and I can only guess how happy you are," she laughed.
Smiling, Sharon's expression became slightly more serious before she responded, "Thanks for always being here for me, Andrea."
"Any time," she replied sincerely.
~~~ TBC ~~~
