The following days were somewhat stressful as the case kept getting more and more complicated. New victims appeared way too regularly on the white board of the Murder Room and yet no lead on how to catch whoever was behind those crimes. Although Major Crimes and the FBI had teamed up, they were going nowhere and it was definitely worrying. Sharon couldn't help but feel useless about it and kept asking her lieutenant for updates as she wanted to help in a way or another.

Rusty was also in the corner of her mind. He had concerned her a little with his questions about putting their family in danger and she felt like he hadn't told her everything. For now, she needed her stress level to be as low as possible and get the more rest she could although it wasn't an easy task nowadays. She would find the perfect occasion to dig in a little more with Rusty and his fears, and hopefully the team would solve the case soon enough.

Despite the risky nature of her pregnancy, she had to admit she loved being pregnant. There was something special about feeling life growing inside her, particularly this time around. It was Andy's baby. Their little miracle. She couldn't stop thinking about it. Oh she had dreamt so many times of that, wanted so hard to have children with him but had never actually dared to believe that one day it would be true. Their lives had been so complicated in the past that it was also the first time that she felt so taken care of and surrounded by a husband who always made her feel wanted and loved. She enjoyed it more than she could say and meeting Andy's loving gaze whenever he would feel or talk to the little one made her melt on the spot. She wouldn't have believed it back when she was in Utah that she would get the chance to marry her Andy and even carry his child.

It was funny how they had all dwelled on the term of the pregnancy, worrying that she might not be able to carry to term and there she was still pregnant, barely a couple weeks away from the 40th week of pregnancy. The baby wasn't even ready to be born just yet and her ob/gyn couldn't be more positive for once. Things were apparently working out perfectly, way better than she had expected in the beginning. Miracles do exist. Now all they could do was pray for the very last push to allow them to finally meet their little one would happen with no complications.

Meanwhile, Sharon just wanted to enjoy the process knowing that it was very likely to be her very last pregnancy. Considering her age, the odds to get pregnant again and the risks it would entail for both her and the baby, she didn't fool herself. They would already be very lucky to get through it with a healthy baby and a healthy mother, better not push the luck and hope for another miracle.

A voice calling from afar took her out of her thoughts. She turned her head realizing she was still comfortably sat on the rocking chair. She had probably drifted off.

- You should go to bed, my Dear… Martha laid her old hand on Sharon's shoulder.

- Oh you're right… she answered yawning behind her hand while checking her watch. Is Andy back? she asked sleepily.

- No, Dear, still not. I'm sure he'd want you to get some rest though. He said he wouldn't be back before a few hours, Martha reminded her.

- I know, I just hate to go to bed without him… Sharon struggled to get out of the chair.

- I know, I know… the old lady spontaneously drew soothing circles on Sharon's back.

- You should be in bed as well! How about we put ourselves to bed already? I just hope Andy won't be too long…

Both ladies went on to do their bedtime routine, Martha went to sleep and Sharon was about to when she remembered she hadn't checked the door. Sheltering Rusty meant being extra careful and their everyday routine had considerably changed accordingly. She made fun of herself while making her way down the stairs as she could watch herself from the outside, a heavily pregnant old lady clumsily taking each step down. And her way back up would be even funnier. The baby was quiet for once and she wanted to let it be that way to hope for some resting hours. On her way back to her room, she caught some light shining under Rusty's room door. She knocked twice and slightly opened his bedroom, daring to poke her head round the door despite the late hour.

- Rusty? she called in a whisper.

- Oh… hey! Sorry… did I wake you? he was a little embarrassed.

- No, no, don't worry. Just saw the light coming from your room… can't sleep? she randomly asked.

- I was just working on something for tomorrow… you know, school stuff… he was clearly evasive, hurrying to fold a couple of paper sheets and put them under his pillow.

- Okay, then. It's getting late, you should get some sleep now. Good night, honey!

She gave him a small smile and closed the door knowing she had just been lied to. Something was definitely up with him.

/

She woke up in a sweat, confused. She remembered struggling to fall asleep, tossing and turning, cruelly missing Andy's warmth in their bed. She didn't feel rested at all. She blinked the confusion away her eyelids heavy from sleep. She checked her alarm clock. 05:00. She looked around. Andy was nowhere to be found… she suddenly felt her stomach churn. Why wasn't he home yet? Or had he already gone back to work? Without even waking her up? There was no sign of his clothes on the chair in the corner of the room and his side of the bed was cold at the touch.

She slowly stood up from the bed, feeling her joints old and tired. She took her phone with her and got downstairs as fast as her condition allowed her. She was about to dial his number when she noticed the kitchen lights were on. They had a beautiful open kitchen overlooking a spacious living room. And there he was. She found her man asleep on the couch in a sitting position, documents and crime scene photos spread on his chest and on the coffee table. What a relief. She let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding while she quietly sat down next to him. She couldn't stop herself from caressing the side of his face with the tip of her fingers. He was there, safe and sound. Their house didn't feel like home without him.

She took the paperwork out of his hands and put the pile of sheets on the coffee table. She then let her head rest over his shoulder, her arm coming to rest on top of his chest. She stroked it in a slow motion. She suddenly felt a kiss on the crown of her head and his hand met hers on his torso.

- Hey Sweetheart… sorry for coming home so late… he whispered.

- I know you're busy with the case… we just missed you so much, she snuggled closer into his side and tightened her grip around his middle.

- I know… I missed you too, he kissed her forehead and put his arm around her his other hand coming to rest on her belly.

- Any update with the case? she asked curious.

- One more victim… and still no serious lead. I convinced Provenza to let me go home but I took the file with me hoping to find something new and I fell asleep, he chuckled passing his hand over his face sleepily.

- Oh God… she sighed, that case is seriously bad…

They fell silent for a few minutes simply enjoying each other's touch.

- I know as the Captain I should put that as a priority but… tonight I'm only your wife and I think we should get some proper rest. We'll have a look at that in the morning. Things always look better in the morning, she offered.

She lifted her head and dropped a loving kiss on his ever so soft lips. He smiled lazily and helped his pregnant wife get back on her two feet, then led her to their room where they comfortably laid down spoon fashion. Finally, Sharon was able to fall asleep harmoniously, letting out a happy sigh before drifting off in the crook of Andy's arms.

/

In the morning, Rusty got ready for classes and went to the kitchen to have breakfast before leaving with the patrol. He saw Andy and Sharon already up and sat around the dining table, in their hands a warm cup of coffee for him, tee for her. He went on to grab a slice of bread in the cupboard. He noticed several documents scattered across the wooden table.

- Are you working on the case already? Rusty asked while composing his plate.

- Mmh, she nodded. That case is a true mystery, Sharon sighed.

Andy's phone rang and he picked up, walking to the living room while talking to what seemed like Provenza's voice.

- The victims keep coming and apparently neither the FBI nor Major Crimes can put the finger on the link between all of them, Sharon continued.

Rusty carried his plate to the table and sat down next to his foster mother. Only he didn't expect to recognize any of the victims on the photos.

- It's me, he blurted out eyes wide open.

- It's you? Sharon repeated confused.

- Those men… I.. I'm… I'm the link… Rusty stuttered in shock.

- What are you talking about? Sharon felt a lump form in her throat, her stress levels going up at a frantic pace.

- Rios is at the station… Andy interrupted them with a concerned look.

- Stroh… Sharon put it all together in a split second and it felt like an ugly nightmare she couldn't wake up from.

/

The day had started well but taken a terrible turn the minute they had understood the FBI case was closely intertwined with Rusty's. As he had said earlier, he was the link between all the victims because those men had been his clients at some point, back when he was living in the street. At that precise moment, Rios, the DDA in charge of the case, had informed them that Stroh had somehow slipped through their fingers and it all meant that Rusty's life was threatened. They were barely a few months away from the trial. Suddenly, it all made sense. They finally had the lead they were looking for, but at what cost? Their son's safety was on the line and they couldn't be more worried. They had to figure out a new plan to make sure nothing would happen to him.

The whole family was escorted to the Major Crimes floor including Martha and Sharon to ensure everyone's security. Rios had insisted, no one would leave the police station without a new plan for Rusty. Sharon knew what was possibly ahead and she had known all along that it was a possibility if things got ugly. She did her best to spare herself too much stress but it was a hard thing to do in such situation. They were all sat in the conference room to discuss the options. It wasn't easy for any of them to hear it out. None of the options were fully satisfying but they unfortunately had no choice.

Rusty was mute. Ever since he had confessed knowing every victim, he had fallen silent. Shame. Guilt. Fear. His nightmares had turned into reality and he was facing his darkest demons. He could be separated from his new family, or worse put them in danger as he could be the next target. He was struggling to deal with his turmoil and had only found silence to be the best option for him at the moment, too scared of making it any worse.

He wanted to apologize again and again. Somehow, he felt responsible for all this and wished he could make it easier for everyone. That damn Philip Stroh was out there, free of his movements and had even managed to kill people from jail. What would happen next? What if any of them got hurt in the process? What if Sharon had a problem with the baby because of him? All those questions were eating him, devouring him from the inside.

Sharon hadn't left his side, once in a while gently pressing her hand against his back to show her support. Andy was fighting tooth and nail to make him stay with them, and he truly appreciated how hard he was trying. But Rios wouldn't have it. They couldn't just go back home with a patrol and hope for the best. It was too dangerous. And he couldn't agree more with her however he really didn't want to leave everyone.

Maybe he would have to talk about the letters at some point, he reasoned. He had started receiving them a few days prior but had chosen to hide them. If he had talked about them he would have been able to avoid all this. But he had only received 3 of them and therefore felt like it wasn't such a big deal. Every witness in a big trial eventually received some threats, he thought and that didn't mean any harm would be done. He couldn't have been more wrong and he knew it now although it was too late.

Everyone was debating. Rios kept cutting Andy and Sharon off because they were lacking objectivity in their request for Rusty to stay with them. Yet they couldn't bring themselves to surrender and accept leaving him on his own, off with anybody else but them. They needed him as much as he needed them.

- Can I talk to you please? Rusty whispered after grabbing Sharon's arm.

- Hum… everyone, we need a break… she interrupted the conversation, I'll take my son for a few minutes.

Sharon made eye contact with Andy, letting him know everything was alright with her, she just needed to hear what Rusty had to say. Both got out of the room and went to her former office to be quiet for a few minutes.

- Is everything okay, Rusty? she was clearly concerned.

- Sharon… I'm sorry… he looked away.

- Rusty, do not apologize. None of this is your fault, she placed her hand on his shoulder for a few seconds.

- Yes, it is, Sharon… You don't understand… I hid something from you…

Rusty took out the letters from his back pocket and gave them to her, still not daring to raise his face. She took the folded stack of paper and unfolded it. As she started reading them, she immediately understood what they entailed.

- Rusty… when did you get these? she asked her voice thick with emotion and her eyes full of tears.

- A few days ago… I'm sorry for not telling you… I was so scared… I should have… Rusty sniffled while trying to explain himself.

- Shh… It's okay, honey, I understand, she took him in her arms and held him tight.

They remained in each other's arms for what seemed like minutes, each of them afraid to let go of the other. Until Sharon finally dared to break the silence.

- I don't wanna leave, Sharon… he whispered through his tears.

- No matter what happens from now on, know that we love you. You are our son whether or not we share the same blood. Believe me, we'll never give up on you, Rusty.

Sharon released him and brought his forehead to her lips. She stopped to look him in the eye for a few seconds tears rolling down her cheeks and left the office with the letters, knowing only too well what would happen next.

/

- Andy… she whispered trying to stifle a sob.

- It's okay, Sweetheart, he held her in his strong embrace.

- I'm so… I'm so scared, Andy… her voice suddenly became more high-pitched fighting the tears.

- I know you are… he kissed the crown of her head without letting her go and continued, we will do anything we can to keep him safe and eventually we'll catch the bastard.

- If anything happens, we won't be able to keep him with us, we aren't legally his parents… Andy, he's our son now, I can't stand the idea that he can be taken away from us at any moment, she whispered afraid to say the words.

Things hadn't gotten any better as the letters had revealed a real danger for Rusty's and their family's safety. They represented a written threat revealing that whoever was behind them knew too much. Each member of their family was mentioned along with things not just anyone could know about. That person had been observing them closely and that alone was frightening. For the next 48 hours, Rios along with Chief Taylor had agreed to keep them all together and hide them in a motel room in a southern part of the state. But as police officers, Andy and Sharon knew it would only be the beginning. Witness protection had been mentioned in the conference room and although they didn't want to consider such option, they knew it was probably the safest one. It couldn't be worse in terms of timing as Sharon was due barely a few weeks away and despite the fact that the baby didn't seem ready to meet the world just yet, things could change pretty fast. Not to mention that the stressful nature of the situation couldn't be good neither for Sharon nor for the baby. Other than that, Sharon just felt overwhelmed. It all seemed terribly familiar. Only now, she wouldn't be alone with two toddlers at least.

- You need to relax, Sweetheart, we're gonna figure this out together. I promise… but now you need to keep calm for our little one, okay?

Andy tried really hard to reassure his wife. He wasn't okay himself, probably as worried and scared as she was. But he had to be strong for her and do anything in his power to avoid her any more stress. All they could do now was wait. The letters had been sent out to the lab for close examination. They were still hoping to find a lead, a fingerprint, a word, literally anything that would help them find Stroh or his prospective accomplice. He had just escaped and Rusty had received the letters before that. Therefore they were not only looking for the dirtbag but also for someone who had agreed to do the dirty work for him. With the trial supposedly taking place a few months away, the Unit assumed he was getting rid of anyone being able to corroborate his crimes and testify against him.

They had considered staying at the station while they were weighing up the pros and the cons but Andy couldn't bring himself to agree with letting Sharon sleep in such terrible conditions while so heavily pregnant with their child. He managed to convince everyone to send them to motel room along with two patrol cars and their service weapon.

The room wasn't too luxurious. There were two double beds, a separate room with two single beds, and one bathroom for the four of them to share. Thank God, it was only temporary. Martha had been kind enough to volunteer to take one of the small beds, leaving the main room with the double beds to the couple. Rusty had followed Martha and insisted on sleeping in a small bed as well although Sharon suspected he regretted his decision when he realized the old grandma was quite a noisy snorer.

Laying in bed in desperate need of rest, Sharon was lulled to sleep, thanks to her husband's tender caresses on the side of her prominent middle. The baby was agitated, how could it not be? Her heartbeat was rather fast and she was struggling to quieten. But as always, Andy knew what to do and kept stroking her side slowly while massaging her scalp until he felt his wife's breathing sound deeper and slower. Once his girl and their little one seemed finally out for the night, he eventually allowed himself to drift off as well, his nose comfortably buried in Sharon's hair. After all, she always said things would be better in the morning, he could only hope that it would be true.