Chapter 2

Rusty was suprised to see Sharon coming home early. "What happened? Did you wrap up the case?" he asked. She knew he meant the Hollywood case. There were just some cases that were more upfront than others. "No" she said shaking her head. She closed the distance from the door to the kitchen counter "What are you doing?" she asked taking in the picture. The kitchen was battlefield. Every part of the counter was covered with cooking equipment and ingredients to what looked like a several course menu at least to Sharon. Rusty stirred in a pot and had the time to fidget before answering "I didn't know you'd be home early. It's all gone within the hour."

Sharon nodded "I'm not critizing", well not yet she thought, "I'm asking what are you doing?"

"Just a second!" he exclaimed swirling to the oven and checking on something what smelled like beef. Rusty finally had stirred everything and added some herbs here and there when he drew in a deep breath "Ok. I thought since you worked so much recently you could use a real good meal and I saw this on a show last week. Well Lt. Flynn said he'd get you home by nine and Sykes went shopping with me so well could you just I don't know take a nice long bath I promise I'll have everything ready within the hour, ok?"

Sharon couldn't decide if she should cry. This was so sweet. He was such an attentive kid. She nodded "Okay. I'll get out of your way", she finally said and turned to leave for her room. She decided to take that recommended bath and just realized how tense she was when she slid into the hot bubbly water 15 minutes later. Her phone chirped just as she had settled in a comfortable position. It was Flynn texting Did the kid get everything done?

No, you sent me home early she texted back.

May I remind you that you sent everyone home early oh Captain, my Captain. And if you think about it, I tried my best to buy the boy some time

That made her smile And here I thought you were concerned about me

What can I say the boy still has a puppy license

I didn't picture you to be one of kind dogs

Sorry to disappoint. Have a soft spot for the boy like everyone else, just better at hiding it

She smiled. Flynn was really the only one who didn't seem overprotective for Rusty. Her phone rang just when she was about to answer. It was Ricky and she picked up albeit sitting in a bathtup.

"Hey mom!"

"Hey, how are you?"

"I'm good. I'm free tonight!"

"No shift?"

"Nope! Got two days off they need me this weekend."

"Oh Ricky we discussed that you cut short these double weekendshifts."

"Mom I can use the time off during the week. I need to run some errands. Besides I called to ask how are you doing?"

"I'm fine. Home early and Rusty is cooking a meal that seem's to be a banquet. Have you talked to your sister?"

"Nope she didn't answer her phone when I tried today. Did you?"

"We spoke last week. She's working too much like you."

"We learned from the best. I've got to get going. I'm meeting with some friends!"

"Ok thank's for calling."

"Greetings to Rusty!" with that Ricky hung up. Her mobile chirped again indicating yet another textmessage. It was from Flynn again.

Rusty just sent a picture of the meal I believe you can finish your bath now she read and instantly blushed it was one thing feeling naughty to text in with her Lieutenant while she was in naked in a bathtub and something completely different with him knowing where she was. Of course Rusty had texted with Flynn! He probably texted with everyone, well except Provenza, who probably didn't even know how to send text messages. She took another five minutes to relax and was back, dressed in her favorite black jogging pants and a black cardigan along with a green t-shirt. Like he had promised the kitchen was clean and the table set. "So what's your latest culinary treat?" she asked allowing him to hold the seat out for her.

"It's a simple salad with honey balsamico dressing as appetizer, filet mignon with au gratin potatoes and pepper cream sauce as main course and a surprise for dessert."

Sharon was astonished everything tasted delicious and she ate a lot although she wasn't particularly hungry. Rusty was happy that she liked the food. He had seen how stressed she was and it was good to see Sharon relax every once in a while. The rare moments when she had time to change into something comfortable and enjoy the cozyness of her flat had become even scarcer since Major Crimes caught the Hollywood murders. They kept the conversation light over salad and filet till Rusty couldn't hold himself back anymore.

"Ahm do you know where Jack went?" he finally asked when he removed the remnants of the main course from the table.

Sharon shook her head narrowing her eyes on Rusty. He had dealt with Jackson's sudden disappearance to well. She should have known he brooded over it. "No. Perhaps he went back to Vegas. I told you not to get attached. It's something he practiced well, vanishing", she said softly, although she felt cold inside at the thought of her husband's latest stunt. She remembered the letter, while she had torn it apart she couldn't bring herself to throw it away. "Sorry", Rusty's small voice cut through her bubble of thought, before she could go down memory lane. Again she shook her head "No need to be sorry. You didn't do anything wrong", she sighed and forced the thoughts about Jacksons multiple failures in life away. "So what the surprise dessert?" she asked digging up some excitement to put into her voice. She wasn't going to let Jackson ruin a perfectly nice evening. As it turned out Rusty had made Mousse au Chocolate flavored with peppermint liqueur. "That's delicious!" Sharon exclaimed. Rusty's ears turned red. He still didn't deal so well with compliments. It was sweet to see him being a child in some ways, since he had to be an adult in so many other ways. He told her about the cooking show he had the recipes from and the atmosphere lightened up. They went to bed around 11 p.m. and Sharon couldn't resist to text Flynn Won't need a bedtime story tonight

To bad had a special version off Red Riding Hood

That had Sharon at a loss for words. Finally she filed it under Flynn's inability to let a chance to flirt pass and since he wouldn't flirt with her in public he resorted to this little text conversations from time to time. Sharon knew it was his way to lighten up her mood or perhaps to remind her she was a woman who knew? It was friendly banter, nothing else!

And my part would be to play the wolf she texted back and put the smartphone on her bedside table switching the light off and ignoring the chirping when he answered a good 15 minutes later. "Got you Lieutenant" she mumbled to herself and allowed sleep to take her.