"How about we grab some pizza on the way back to my place? Burgers maybe? What would you like?"

Rusty sat in the car with Lt. Provenza, staring down at the backpack in his hands. "Nothing... I'm not hungry."

"Well, a growing boy like you needs to eat," Provenza chuckled slightly. "And I need to eat something. It's been a long day."

As soon as he mentioned the strain of the day, Provenza knew he had gone to far. The energy flowing from the boy beside him picked up, and he could sense the agitation lying just under the surface.

"Sharon's alone. What if that guy comes back? If he got to me, he can get to her. I've got to go back. Just let me go back. I promise I'll do whatever you tell me to do. I won't talk to anyone. Just... we've got to go back."

Provenza sighed, "Sorry Son, we can't do that. The Captain knew this was plan B, and we all agreed to it."

"It's my fault. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have spoken to that guy. I should have said something to all of you."

"Yes, you should have," Provenza said matter of fact. As much as he cared for the boy, Rusty could have gotten himself and Sharon killed, and he wasn't going to pretend otherwise.

"She's all alone. She's a target. We've got to go back. Sharon needs protection, too." Rusty pleaded.

"We're not going back. You are our number one concern, and until you testify next week, you are staying with me. Now that's final. You don't have a say in the matter."

"But Sharon..."

"Don't worry about the Captain, she's not alone. SIS has the building surrounded and they are going over every inch of that place."

"Yeah, but if he got to me, he can get to her. What about our apartment? There are lots of ways to get into the building, and that guy got in without anyone seeing."

Provenza cleared his throat, "That guy got in because all of our eyes were on you and following you. The security in the building was left to a minimum. He had keys and ID, so he looked like any other resident."

"Right. He can get back there. We have to go back. Or... or at least give Sharon protection too. You and the others are with me, and we're surrounded by security. What about Sharon?"

Sighing again, Provenza gentled his voice, "Don't worry about the Captain. She's being watched. Chief Taylor has had eyes on her since we found out about the letters months ago, she just didn't like it."

"What do you mean?" Rusty turned to the Lieutenant in confusion.

"Look... the Captain was worried about you, and part of the agreement to have you staying with her was that you have protection."

"Right, Emma insisted on that."

"Even if DDA Rios hadn't insisted, the rest of us would have. What the Captain didn't know then, was that there were two patrols on the two of you at all times. Your immediate security, which was very visible and you hated, and one that hung back."

"Wouldn't... wouldn't Sharon notice?"

"Oh, she did," Provenza chuckled, "and she resisted, saying you were the focus, but none of that mattered. Like she's been telling anyone who would listen, you two were a packaged deal. So when it came to security, you were both covered."

"But..."

"No but's, you both had security then, and you both have security now."

"But what about in the apartment? Security outside won't do a thing if the guy can still get in the building."

"I highly doubt he will try to get in the building again. And anyway, his target has always been you, not the Captain."

"You don't know that."

"What? About his target? You're the witness that Stroh wants removed, not the Captain."

"Yeah... I know that, but I've been around to know what... what's that term... right, Witness Intimidation. He knows he can get to me by hurting the people I care about. You guys have said that like, a thousand times in the squad room. I've heard you."

"Yes," Provenza nodded, "and people like Philip Stroh are exceptionally good at that. That is why both you and the Captain have protection."

"It didn't do me much good today," Rusty grumbled, sitting back in his seat.

Provenza didn't let that complaint go, and turned slightly to Rusty. Wiggling his finger underneath Rusty's nose, he spoke with a stern tone, "Don't you take that attitude, young man. You were given instructions and you didn't follow them. It's because you had all these people around you that you are alive to complain right now. Don't you forget that. The system works so long as you do what you're told and don't take matters into your own hands."

"Now you're sounding like Sharon," Rusty huffed beside him.

Provenza rolled his eyes at the irony, having fought Sharon on that point years before. "Look, it doesn't matter who I sound like, the point is every one of us is working together to protect you. Everyone is still alive and no one got hurt. You are being moved for your own good. As soon as you testify, you can go back home. In the meantime you are with me, and I expect complete honesty and obedience from you, do you understand me?"

"Yeah..." he sighed, dejectedly. "But Sharon's alone..." he tried once more.

"She's not alone." Provenza said quietly.

This time Rusty picked up on the Lieutenant's tone and sat up straighter. "You said 'she's not alone' like it's a bad thing. What aren't you telling me?"

"Don't worry about it."

"No... no, don't do that. What's going on? If she's not alone then who's with her?"

"She's covered, don't worry about it."

"No, not good enough. Who is protecting Sharon? I've got you and I know Det. Sanchez and Det. Sykes are in the car behind us. They're both coming to your place, right?"

"Yeah... they'll be there plus your regular protection detail."

"Right... so who's with Sharon? Who's protecting Sharon? The other teams are outside but who's with her?"

"It's covered, she's got someone she can trust and the rest of us are watching you."

"Don't put me off. You know I'm going to keep asking until you tell me. Who is it, Lieutenant? Who's staying with Sharon?"

Provenza sighed, "Flynn's with her until this is all over."