After the funeral, Sharon had invited the team back to the condo.

Not everyone had known Johnny that well but they all attended to support Mike and Rusty, who knew him best.

Andy had been kind enough to run to the store the day before to pick up a few things. Unfortunately, he had decided to go off list meaning there was a whole table full of no sugar, gluten free, zero fat finger foods that were definitely not going to be touched by anyone's fingers, although the expression on Louie's face when he bit into the misleading piece of chocolate cake was worth every wasted penny.

As Sharon scanned the room her eyes settled on Rusty. She smiled. He had grown, matured and changed so much since he first came into her life. Looking at him now she could see the man was becoming. But in her heart, he would also always be that vulnerable teenage boy she dearly loved.

Rusty stood by the bookcase holding a framed photograph from his graduation party, the party he kept telling Sharon he didn't want. But secretly he did. He wanted the big party, a room filled with friends and family. That was something he didn't think he had, not back then. Sharon proved him wrong. She showed him he did have a family and friends.

A soft touch to his shoulder brought him out of his thoughts. He didn't have to look up. He'd have recognized her touch anywhere.

"Hmmm I remember that day. You were so adamant about not having a party."

"Yah it was easier to say I didn't want one than to admit I didn't have any friends. At least I didn't think I had any. He was so nice to come. He didn't even know me."

"He was a nice man hoping to do something nice for a boy who needed to know he was loved."

"Why do good people have to die?"

"I don't know, honey. Life.."

"Yah life's not fair, believe me, I know."

Sharon offered him a sad smile, keeping her tone even as she spoke, "I know you do … better than most. Come back to the party?"

Keeping the picture frame in his hand, Rusty and Sharon rejoined the others in the living room. During a bit of small talk with Amy and Coop, Rusty noticed Mike standing by himself on the balcony. Rusty excused himself feigning the need for another soda. He quietly joined Mike who stood at the rail looking out over the city.

Mike felt ashamed about his reaction to the news about Johnny. What kind of a man worries about the money more than the man. Johnny has a family and friends, who love him. Who were now dealing with the trauma of loss and grief and all he had thought about was himself and the bottom line.

What if it had been someone in his family? Losing someone suddenly with no time to prepare. No time to say goodbye. What would he have done? What if he lost Cathy or one of his sons. He was so lost in thought he had barely registered Rusty's presence until the young man spoke.

Mike stood on the balcony feeling ashamed his initial reaction to Johnny's death. What kind of a man worries about the money more than the man? Johnny had a family and friends who loved him and were now dealing with the trauma of loss and grief and all he had thought about was himself and the bottom line. What if it had been someone in his family? Losing someone suddenly with no time to prepare. No time to say goodbye. What would he have done? What if he lost Cathy or one of his sons? He was so preoccupied with his own thoughts he barely registered Rusty's presence until the young man spoke.

"Hey," Rusty said as nonchalantly as he could muster.

"Hey."

"It was a nice service."

"Yes, it was.'

Mike eventually turned to look at Rusty. He noticed that Rusty was holding something but he couldn't quite tell what it was.

Feeling nervous and not knowing what to do, Rusty looked at the framed photograph in his hands.

Mike recognized the picture in the frame. There was Johnny sporting his big smile. He was always generous with his time, off set or on, with the cast and crew and even food service, it didn't matter.

To Johnny, people were people.

"I remember that night" Mike said.

"Yah, it was a good night." Rusty agreed.

Holding the frame at arm's length, Mike let out a hearty "HA," and smiled.

Rusty didn't quite know what to make of Mike's current mood. Glancing over his shoulder, he frantically searched for reinforcements. eventually catching Andy's eye. Andy gave him a subtle nod.

"A good night" Mike said still gazing in the frame's direction.

"We were all so proud of you, Rusty. You continue to beat the odds," Mike turned to look at him then, a slight shimmer to his eyes. "We ARE all….so very proud of you."

It was still hard for Rusty to accept a compliment. Feeling awkward and not knowing what else to do, Rusty shrugged. "Yah I've had a lot of help."

"That's what family is for, Lad. We are all here for you, for one another."

In that moment, Sharon and Andy joined Mike and Rusty on the balcony, followed by Louis and Patrice. The rest of the team weren't far behind. Mike smiled and nodded

.

"Yah," Rusty said thoughtfully, "I met you all trying to find my mom and I found so much more … a family."

"Ya, sure did kid," Andy said giving Rusty's shoulder an affectionate pat.

Only then did Rusty realize that he and Mike were no longer alone on the balcony.

Mike smiled as he looked to all of his colleagues, his friends... his family.

"I think this might be our first family portrait," Mike said holding the frame up for all of them to see,

Mike tugged at his glasses, "We should..." he said as he wiped away a tear and cleared the lump from his throat, "...we are due for another one."

Mike called everyone together, "Now gather in everyone." He handed the frame back to Rusty.

Rusty held the framed picture to his chest. Sharon smiled at Rusty drawing him next to her. Andy stepped in close beside her slipping his arm around her waist. Louie took his place on Rusty's left while Patrice rested her hands on Louie's shoulder. Buzz and Andrea fell in behind Patrice and Louie while Coop took his cue from Andy stepping in behind Amy and drawing her close. Julio hoisted Mark up to fill out the ranks.

With his free hand, Mike raised his glass, before fishing his phone out of his jacket pocket.

"Smile everyone, this one's a keeper." Mike said holding his phone up as far as he could reach.

"To Johnny,"

"To Johnny" they replied in unison.

The End