Welcome to the finale of our take on season 1! We have decided to combine episodes 9 and 10, which led to us writing the longest chapter of our story so far. We hope you guys won't mind.

Before you tackle this chapter, however, we would like to thank you all for the wonderful reviews we have received over the past week. Seeing you enjoying this story is almost as fun as writing it, and it never ceases to put smiles on our faces, and continues to inspire our writing.

Without further ado… enjoy! :)

THE SAME, YET DIFFERENT - CHAPTER NINE

Andy sighed in frustration as he watched Rusty's retreating form stalk off towards the break room. He shook his head in a 'not now' manner when Provenza looked over at him with a questioning brow regarding the kid's outburst. Andy's qualms concerning Daniel Dunn were increasing by the minute, and it frustrated him to no end that there was little he could currently do about it. He had spent most of the previous night listening to Rusty complain about the weekend plans being changed, and normally Andy would've chalked it up to the kid's typical bellyaching when something inconvenienced him, but he saw the flash of disappointment in Rusty's eyes when he first read the text Daniel sent to inform him of said changes.

Despite initially dreading his visit with Daniel and his family, Rusty managed to allow himself to become slightly excited about the upcoming weekend. When it looked as though those plans were falling through, even though it was only a small amount of anticipation, Andy knew Rusty felt a significantly greater amount of disappointment. He had wanted to call Mr. Dunn right then and there and tell him to get his act together or he could forget about being a part of Rusty's life, but unfortunately it was not his decision to make. He considered his lack of control of the situation to be the most infuriating aspect at the moment.

In addition to everything he was dealing with at home, the case that Major Crimes had been called in on during the night also bothered Andy for a multitude of reasons. Much like Mr. Dunn's behavior, nothing about this case was making sense. His frustrations with it surmounted those from the previous evening and it was making for one hell of a headache. Andy wanted to kick himself for even allowing the thought 'things could not possibly get any worse' to cross his mind because of course the moment it did, things naturally worsened.

"Sorry I'm late." Daniel Dunn's voice sounded from the entrance to the murder room.

"That's an understatement." Andy mumbled heatedly as he rose from the desk he was leaning against and turned to face his superior. "If you'll excuse me for a moment, Captain," he hooked a thumb in the direction of where Daniel was still standing at the entrance, "I'm going to go-" his voice trailed off and mentally he added to himself, 'deal with this asshole'.

Sharon offered a brief supportive smile. "Take your time, Lieutenant."

Andy murmured apologies to the team for having to step out in the middle of the case and pointedly ignored the barely audible, "Don't do anything stupid," when he passed his partner's desk. He brushed past Daniel without saying a word and hardly spared him a glance as he headed in the direction of the break room. Andy set a brisk pace, not particularly caring if the other man kept up or not. He was still grappling with how best to handle this situation; on one hand he wanted to take care of Mr. Dunn himself, but on the other he knew that this was something that Rusty needed to do on his own. Again, he felt the frustrations of his hands being tied.

"Is something wrong?" Daniel questioned as he took a few jogging steps to catch up with Andy.

Andy came to a halt and glared at Daniel. "Yeah, you could say that," he supplied sarcastically before turning and disappearing down the next hall.

"You know," Daniel stopped just as he rounded the corner and had Andy in his sight again, "I'm getting the impression that you don't like me very much and I think that could be an issue."

Andy's stride faltered slightly, but he continued the few steps towards the break room to peek inside the window to confirm that Rusty was still waiting. Finding the kid slumped on one of the bar stools, he turned back to the other man and took two confrontational steps towards him, stopping just short of being in his face. "Whether or not I like you is the least of your problems," he practically growled out.

Taken aback by Andy's sudden aggression, Daniel held out his hands defensively, his jacket hanging limply between them, providing a poor barrier. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Attempting to tone down his hostility, Andy widened his stance and shoved his hands into his pants pockets. "It means I'm not the one you should be concerned about."

Daniel's face twisted up in confusion. "Then who should I be concerned about?"

Andy rolled his eyes, irritated that he even needed to spell it out. He leaned forward slightly and his tone dropped dangerously low. "Your son."

"What's wrong with Rusty?" Daniel asked with a hint of panic, almost managing to sound genuinely worried.

"You're late," Andy said in a clipped tone. When Daniel's shoulders relaxed by this news, he took satisfaction in adding, "And now he doesn't want to spend what's left of the weekend with you."

Daniel pulled his phone out of his pocket and pulled up a text screen. "But I texted him last night letting him know I couldn't pick him up until today." He held up the screen for Andy to see as if he needed proof.

Andy ignored the proffered phone, instead making a show of looking at his watch. "Which was supposed to be," he tapped a finger twice against its face, "two hours ago." He returned his hands back to his pockets and sarcastically added, "And apparently you couldn't be bothered to call."

"So I'm a little late," Daniel said nonchalantly as he repocketed his phone, clearly unconcerned by his tardiness, "I didn't think that would be such a big deal."

"It is to Rusty," Andy said flatly. "You know," he huffed a mirthless laugh as his gaze momentarily dropped to their feet. Taking an extra moment, he scratched his upper lip with his thumb before returning his gaze to Daniel and leveling him with a stare that could only be described as threatening. "The fact that I have to keep reminding you to be considerate of your son is really," his jaw clenched and he ground out the rest of his response, "really beginning to grate on my nerves."

"I'll have you know," Daniel pointed a finger, "Rusty isn't the only one that this has been difficult for. This...this" his grip on his jacket tightened and his tone was becoming increasingly agitated, "problem-" his mouth snapped shut when he noticed Andy's frown deepen and his nostrils flare. He held up a hand, halting Andy from responding just yet. "What I mean to say," he began in a calmer voice, "telling Annie about Rusty has put me in a difficult situation and-"

Andy's scoff cut him off. "Don't talk to me about difficult situations," the corner of his mouth twitched up into a snarl, "you have no idea what a difficult situation even looks like."

Realizing the conversation was not going his way, Daniel momentarily at a loss on how he was going to smooth things over again and stared blankly up at Andy for a beat. "What can I do to assure you that I want to make this better?" With his jacket caught between them, he clasped his hands together in a pleading manner. "I need to fix this."

"I don't trust you," Andy stated matter-of-factly, "and there's probably nothing you can do to change that." Not caring to listen to any of the other man's excuses, he turned and walked back to the break room door. "Lucky for you, I'm not the one you have to convince." Turning the knob, he pushed the door open and stepped just inside the room. "Rusty, you have a visitor."

Rusty didn't bother turning around, he just continued to write in the notebook he had opened in front of him. Daniel slowly entered the room and stopped at the first table he came to. He lightly rapped his knuckles against the top, then nervously looked back at Andy.

He was reluctant to leave, but Andy knew it might be best to leave the kid to handle this one for his temper was already getting the best of him. "Rusty," he waited until he noticed the slight turn of the kids head indicating he was listening, "If you're good here, there's a case I need to get back to."

Rusty finally turned and looked at Andy. "I've got this," he confirmed with a nod of his head.

"Let me know if you need anything," Andy paused momentarily and gave Daniel a warning look before focusing again on Rusty, "and let me know what you decide to do."

"I will," Rusty promised.

Andy exited the room once again, closing the door on his way out. He hesitated outside for just a few moments, reluctant to leave Rusty to deal with everything on his own, but he also hated shirking on his duties for a case once again, even if it for Rusty. At that moment he caught sight of two uniforms walking down the intersecting hall, one of them he recognized.

"Hey, Alvarez!" Andy called out to one of them just before they disappeared out of sight. He met them at the end of the hall so he would no longer need to raise his voice. Out of the handful of officers that had been assigned to keeping an eye on Rusty while he was in emergency care, Officer Alvarez was the one Andy had seen the most. "The kid is in the break room with, erm, with a visitor," he figured that was explanation enough, "do you mind just keeping an ear out?"

"Of course, Sir," Alvarez politely answered with a nod.

"I'm sorry," Andy shrugged apologetically, "I don't think it will take long, but I need to get back to this case we have."

"It's not a problem, Sir." Alvarez hooked his thumb towards the female officer standing next to him, "Banks and I have nowhere special to be."

Andy gave his arm a friendly pat. "Thank you."

Just before he turned the corner, Andy looked back to see both officers standing just out of sight of the break room talking casually. It was a relief to know that they would be there just in case even though he was certain it was probably unnecessary. Still, it allowed him to return to work with his mind somewhat at ease.

Just as expected, it wasn't long before Rusty poked his head into the murder, catching Andy's eye just long enough to tilt his head to the side in an invitation to follow. By the time Andy raised his eyebrows in understanding and silently let his team know he had to slip away for a moment, the kid had already turned around and started walking down the hallway. Andy had to break out into half a run to keep up with his pace. He was just about to tell him to slow down when Rusty came to a halt as they reached the hall leading to the elevators and turned on his heel to face him. "I've decided to go."

Andy skidded to a stop, too, and swallowed. "You have?" he asked worriedly, his eyes flickering over Rusty's shoulder toward Daniel Dunn. His temper instantly flared and he found himself clenching his fists in an attempt to calm down his ire when, once again, he noticed the man was typing away on his phone.

Rusty's bitter sounding chuckle snapped Andy out of his silent seething and he returned his focus on him. "He practically begged me to still go with him. Pretty desperately, too. Also," Rusty momentarily avoided Andy's gaze, hesitating, "I can tell when people want something from me and he," he lifted his eyes to meet Andy's and his voice dropped a little lower as he quickly side glanced the man in question, "wants something."

Andy sighed and, biting down on his bottom lip tensely, he glanced at Daniel, who was still paying them no attention. He had concluded as much himself, only he was much more inclined to just interrogate the guy the good old-fashioned way rather than send Rusty off with him for the weekend as if on a reconnaissance mission. Looking at Rusty again, he found him to be determined enough, but he still rubbed a hand anxiously over the back of his neck and asked, "You sure about this?" He took half a step closer to him, not knowing whether he was trying to talk himself into this or Rusty out of it. "Because yo-"

"I'm sure," Rusty interrupted on a vigorous nod of his head. "I," he cleared his throat and corrected himself, "we have to find out what he wants, so…" He trailed off, tugging on the straps of his backpack. On a shrug, he added, suddenly seeming slightly insecure after all, "It's just one weekend."

"One weekend," Andy repeated, somehow not finding any more comfort in the fact than Rusty seemed to be, but he felt rather proud of his foster son's courage just then and decided to put on a brave face as well. "You," his hand made its way toward Rusty's shoulder on its own volition, but he managed to stop himself just short of touching him, "call me or text me if you need anything," it was a compulsion by then to somehow quell both his and Rusty's nervous energies and his hand finally did land on the boy's shoulder, giving it an awkward pat as he added, "okay?"

His gesture seemed to do the trick and the tension he detected in Rusty's shoulders eased up. To both of their surprise, he was not minding the contact at all. "I will." When Andy continued to look at him intently, his fingers twitching against his shoulder, he rolled his eyes just a little in exasperation, and added, "I promise."

At that Andy gave his shoulder a light squeeze before pulling his hand back. "Okay," he said, taking a calming breath. "Good," he added on a nod, more to himself than Rusty, but made no move to actually join Rusty's biological father who was yet to spare them more than a cursory glance.

"So," Rusty started, hooking his thumbs underneath the straps of his knapsack and swaying on the balls of his feet, "I guess I should get going."

Andy still remained rooted to the spot. "I wish you didn't," he blurted out before he could even try to stop himself. Trying to backpedal, he quickly added, "I mean, you have to, we both know that. There's really no way around it," he was rambling and nervously rubbing his fingers against his right temple, "but," he abruptly flopped his hand down to his side and shrugged sadly, "I wish I could have your back there, Kid."

Rusty smiled a little, nodding. "Yeah," he suddenly found his shoes entirely too interesting, and he dragged his foot up and down across the floor, trying to distract himself from the surprising comfort that Andy's words offered, "I wish you could come with me, too." He shrugged, not unlike Andy just had, uncertain in his assumption about what his foster father was trying so hard not to say.

The disappointed resignation in his last few words washed over Andy and settled somewhere low in his belly, and he expected the feeling to remain there until he returned, but for both their benefits, he shook himself out of it, forcing himself to ignore the unease that came with it. He smiled then, finding the fact that he and Rusty seemed to be on the same page oddly soothing. Finally managing to force his feet to move him in the direction of Daniel Dunn, he gave Rusty a gentle nudge to encourage him to follow. "Come on." He eyed Daniel, who had at long last torn away his focus from his phone at the sound of their footsteps, and inclined his head toward Rusty to whisper threateningly, "If he uses that thing while driving..:"

Rusty chuckled. "You'll arrest him?"

Andy smirked, but having reached Daniel, refrained from actually confirming the boy's suggestion.

"Don't worry, I'll take good care of him," Daniel said when Rusty walked past him toward the elevators.

He sounded sincere enough and proceeded to follow Rusty, but Andy's continued mistrust of him had him failing, or rather not even really attempting, to keep the low threat out of his tone when he replied. "I'll hold you to that."

Daniel's step faltered, and as he turned his head to look back at him, Andy could have sworn he swallowed, and it filled him with a strange feeling of satisfaction. Managing to intimidate the guy gave him an odd kind of reassurance. Perhaps, although he wouldn't hold his breath, it would encourage Daniel to be a little more considerate of his son's, rather than his own, needs. Daniel then offered a curt nod and passed Rusty to press the button for the elevator.

When Rusty looked back his way, Andy was swept over by a wave of emotion, sadness, worry and anxiety all rolled into one. He was wrong about that uncomfortable feeling in his gut earlier. It wouldn't remain there until Rusty came back, because It suddenly travelled up to his chest and found residence there in the form of a dull ache, which only intensified at the thought that soon Rusty might leave with his biological father permanently. "Rusty," he said thickly, not really knowing what to tell him first. To be safe? That he'll be waiting for him until he gets home? That he'll miss him? In the end he settled on something he hoped would be the case despite pretty much hating what that in turn might lead to. "Have fun, Kid."

There was a slight pause before Rusty nodded, and Andy hoped that perhaps he had somehow heard the thoughts he hadn't voiced, too. When the elevator pinged and its door slid open, Rusty threw Andy a half-hearted wave in goodbye and then followed Daniel into it. Once the doors closed and the two disappeared from view, Andy slumped his shoulders and heaved a deep sigh before making his trek back to the murder room. He just couldn't shake off the feeling that something would happen, and it didn't help that he couldn't tell whether he was just being paranoid or if there was some subconscious logic behind his trepidation.

. . .

"Lieutenant Tao," Sharon turned from where she was facing the murder board to look at the man, "have you found anything interesting in Detective Connor's files on their fraud case?"

MIke whirled in his chair to face her. "Not yet, Captain, but," he glanced over his shoulder to the two stacks of files he had, one significantly smaller than the other, "I've only made a small dent." He looked back at her with a tired smile. "I will need to stay late this evening to get through the rest of them."

Sharon glanced at her watch and noted it was just past the end of workday. She doubted Taylor would approve of overtime for the whole squad, especially considering they had been called out in the middle of the night, but figured there was no harm in a couple of her detectives staying late. "Detective Sykes," she smiled when the young detective eagerly looked in her direction, "if you don't mind staying and assisting Lieutenant Tao with-"

"Actually, Captain," Andy leaned forward in his chair and rested his elbows on his desk, "if it's alright with you, I can stay with Mike." He hit the home button on his phone, lighting up the screen. His shoulders slumped when he noted there still weren't any new messages since he last checked a few minutes ago. "God knows I could use the distraction," he mumbled to himself.

Sharon nodded in understanding. "Okay then," she turned to face the rest of the team, "the rest of you head home. I will see you all back here early tomorrow."

Sharon headed to her office and the rest of the team slowly filed out of the murder room, each bidding the two lieutenants farewell as they went. Provenza was the last to leave, making a point to stop by Andy's desk to tell him to stop fretting like an old lady or he wouldn't be of any help to Tao. It had garnered the response he was expecting of his partner—a scowl and an impolite gesture with his hand—which had him almost skipping out of the room with a smug expression on his face.

Once they were alone except for the Captain still remaining in her office, Mike swiveled in his chair to face Andy. "I'm going to get a refill before we continue," he held up his empty coffee mug, "need one?"

"Umm…" Andy grasped the mug that was sitting off to the side by its handle and tilted it towards him so that he could see its contents. There was at least two good sips worth left from his last refill, though they were surely long cold by now. He considered taking Mike up on the offer, but he could feel the nervous energy from the day still flowing through his body and ultimately decided against it. "No thanks, Mike, I'm good."

Once Mike set out to the break room, Andy sat staring blankly at nothing in particular for a few more moments before slowly easing himself out of his chair and making his way over to Tao's desk. He had grabbed his phone off his desktop on the way and was in the process of checking for messages once again when the Captain emerged from her office, her purse in hand and her coat draped over one arm.

"Still no word from Rusty?" Sharon casually inquired as she moved across the room to stand next to him.

Double checking that his ringer was in fact turned on, Andy responded on a sigh, "No," he dropped the phone into his pocket, "nothing yet."

Sharon smiled encouragingly at him. "You'll hear from him by tonight." Her confident tone indicated she was certain that would be the case.

Although it didn't reach his eyes, Andy returned the smile before responding, "I know." He then turned his attention to the larger stack of files and began sifting through them.

Still sensing there was more on his mind, Sharon stood quietly next to him and waited. She had quickly learned that Andy generally needed little prodding to get him to voice what was on his mind, and therefore was not surprised when he suddenly plopped the files back down on the desk and turned to fully face her.

"I just don't trust Daniel Dunn," Andy blurted out. Expecting his Captain to refute him in some way, he quickly continued on. "I know, I know," he unnecessarily held up his hands in a defensive gesture, "I'm probably being irrational, and it's probably because I'm letting my personal feelings cloud my judgment," his gaze dropped to the floor and he chuckled self-deprecatingly, "but I just can't shake this nagging sensation I have about that guy." Shrugging his shoulders and letting his hands drop to his sides, he met her eyes once again and, certain she would have several reasons why his thoughts were illogical, he steeled himself for her response.

Curling her lips in, Sharon pressed them together as she determined the most diplomatic way to address Andy's concerns. "You know," she began slowly, "I haven't had many encounters with Mr. Dunn, but when I did, I got this…" her hand made a circular motion as she grappled for the right word, "wonky," she cringed slightly at her word choice but continued on nonetheless, "feeling about him and I can't say that I trust him either."

Andy chuckled lowly and the first genuine smile of the day crossed his features. He found this new side of her they were getting to see very intriguing, but that was a thought to be filed away for another day. "So eloquently put, Captain."

Sharon rolled her eyes before playfully narrowing them on Andy. "I was simply using a term I thought you'd understand."

Andy chuckled once more before becoming serious again. "If you don't trust the guy," all the apprehension he had been feeling suddenly became evident in his tone, "then I really should be worried."

Sharon mentally berated herself at the forlorn expression on his face. Her attempts to reassure him that his suspicions were not necessarily irrational only managed to intensify his other concerns. "Rusty is smart and he knows how to take care of himself." She ducked her head to catch his gaze that had once again drifted to his shoes. "He's going to be okay, Andy."

"I really wish I could believe that." Andy shrugged helplessly. "I hate that I'm not there with him."

"He knows that he can trust and depend on you now and in the future." She paused to let that sink in. They both knew that at some point Rusty may be staying with his biological father permanently, but she suspected Andy needed a reminder that it didn't mean he had to let go of him completely. "That's more than anyone else has given him."

"Yeah, you're right," Andy agreed, but there was no conviction in his tone.

Sharon sighed, she wanted to say more, but realized that until Andy laid eyes on Rusty again, no words of reassurance were going to bring him comfort. She decided to go for the next best option, the distraction he had asked for earlier. "Now, Lieutenant," she held out one of her hands, "if you don't mind handing over a few of those credit reports, I will take them with me and look over them at home."

"You mean you don't want to stay here with us?" Andy asked in mock surprise, pretending to be offended, but still did as she asked and handed over a few of the files. "Tao," he turned to the other man who had just returned to the room, "the Captain doesn't find us to be suitable company."

"I will see you in the morning, Lieutenants," Sharon said pointedly, quickly putting an end to Andy's teasing before Mike could join him, though she doubted he would. She was, however, secretly pleased that Andy's mood had improved just enough to briefly catch a glimpse of his sense of humor once again. "Please call if you find anything useful before then."

"Will do," Andy confirmed as he took his own set of files over to his desk and took a seat.

"Goodnight, gentlemen."

"Goodnight, Captain," both men said in unison as she made her exit.

Once the sound of her heels receded, Andy and Mike turned their attention to their respective stacks of folders. Over the next hour they occasionally brought up something that might or might not be helpful to their case, but for the most part, they simply worked in silence.

That's why, too engrossed in the credit report in front of him, Mike did not pay much, if any, attention to the chime of Andy's phone when it echoed through the murder room. It was the sudden chuckle that followed moments later that tore his focus away from the computer screen and prompted him to swivel in his chair to look at Andy. His colleague had been nothing but bad and short-tempered the entire day, and even if he happened to emanate something akin to a laugh, it had been laced with either sarcasm or bitterness, which is why Mike's eyebrows shot up when even in the dim light he was able to make out a soft smile tugging at the older man's lips. Intrigued, he ventured a guess and said, "Rusty?"

Startled, for he had clearly not noticed having gotten Mike's attention, Andy's head abruptly snapped up at the question, but his smile widened. "Yeah." He turned his chair Mike's way and waved his phone. "Just checking in with me."

Mike nodded and smiled knowingly to himself. Andy had been periodically checking his phone, letting out quiet sighs and huffs of disappointment in response to what he saw or rather didn't see on it ever since the Captain had left. The reason for his obvious impatience wouldn't have been hard to deduce even if Andy hadn't already admitted he only volunteered for the all-nighter in order to distract himself from his foster son's weekend away. He was noticeably on edge, but Mike knew better than to bring it up in an effort to assuage his worries, so he simply focused on getting their work done, and ignored the fact that Andy's attempt at distraction was failing miserably. However, a simple text message managing to brighten Andy's mood this visibly, Mike considered rather endearing (not that he would ever let Andy know he thought so), and he couldn't resist prodding just a little more. "I'm guessing," he waved a small stack of papers through the air as he spoke, "his visit is going well so far then?"

Andy chuckled again, typing Rusty a quick text back. "I wouldn't go that far, but," he tilted his head toward Mike while his eyes continued to follow his fingers tapping away on his phone, "no 911 calls, so..." he trailed off, then, having finally sent his message, looked up at Mike and raised his eyebrow meaningfully.

Mike chuckled, too, and turned briefly toward his desk to discard the papers down on his keyboard. He didn't exactly mean to pry this much, but he only hesitated and stalled for a moment by picking up a pen to fiddle with, before curiosity got the better of him and he turned back to Andy. "Is he still reluctant about the whole situation?"

Andy sighed, locking his phone screen and placing the phone on his desk. He remained silent for a moment, but once deciding on his answer, he met Mike's eyes and said, "We both are."

This wasn't news to Mike. He and the rest of the team had overheard enough conversations between either Rusty and Andy themselves, or Andy and Provenza, to know that it wasn't just Rusty who was struggling to come to terms with the possibilities the latest developments had brought on them. "Rusty's really settled in with you, hasn't he?" He hoped Andy wouldn't take offense at the obvious touch of surprise, and even disbelief, in his tone.

He didn't. Instead, Andy chuckled and actually mirrored Mike's surprise by giving him a wide-eyed look and shaking his head incredulously. "I think that this is the first time in his life, Mike," his features softened and another, slightly wistful, smile crept over his features, "that he's settled in anywhere."

Mike nodded. "A miracle considering how," he smirked a little over his next word, "explosive your start was."

Andy half-laughed, half-scoffed. "Yeah," he agreed on a nod of his own. He continued to sound surprised as he added more seriously, "We actually get along pretty well." Chuckling dryly, he tilted his head to the side and clarified, "When we're not busy arguing that is."

Mike laughed. "Kind of like," he pointed his pen at Andy, then at his partner's empty desk, "you and Provenza."

Andy barked out a hearty laugh. His voice dipped low, the words verging on a groan, as he said, "You have no idea."

"It probably helps that both of you seem to be," Mike paused, rolling his pen between his fingers as he carefully chose his next words, "equally stubborn."

"Ha!" Andy let out, far from disagreeing, but he went on more seriously, his voice thinning for a second. "You know," he contemplatively rubbed a finger over his chin, "I think he just needed someone who wouldn't back down, no matter how difficult he was being." Lifting his hand from his chin, he twirled it around in a circle, and added, "I can't help but think he was testing me, you know, pushing me to see how long before I either put my foot down or gave up on him."

Mike had come to the same conclusion and started nodding his head understandingly. "And," he gave his knee a single tap with the pen, "Rusty's more used to the latter being the case."

Andy averted his gaze, looking intently at a random spot on the floor, and sighed sadly. "Yeah," he agreed quietly. "I think he finally started believing that I wouldn't kick him to the curb," he looked up at Mike again, "and then this," he struck a hand out in the direction of the entrance of the murder room, "Daniel Dunn guy shows up-"

Mike quickly interrupted, knowing precisely where Andy was going with this. "He knows you're not trying to get rid of him, Andy."

Andy nodded. "Yeah," he said on a sigh, "I guess he does, but…" he trailed off, giving Mike a helpless shrug.

"That doesn't mean you won't have to let go of him," Mike finished his thought, shrugging as well.

Andy's shoulders slumped and he turned his chair to face his computer. "No," there was a touch of finality to the word as if he was ready to drop the subject and return to work, "it doesn't."

Mike, however had no intention of going back to work just yet, and continued to look at him, considering the older officer for a moment. He was suddenly compelled to do or say something to lift Andy's spirits. It wasn't the first time that he had seen Andy resigned, but he couldn't recall ever seeing him resigned to this big a degree, and what was more, this helpless and disheartened. "You know, Andy," he started, waiting a beat, until the man looked at him, "what you've done for Rusty in such a short amount of time is remarkable." He waved his pen through the air. "Even if Dunn does get custody of him, and it does turn out for the best, I think he lucked out being dropped into your lap for as long as he did."

Andy shook his head, but smiled, appreciating Mike's praise even if it wasn't praise he was after when he offered Rusty a roof over his head. "I lucked out here, Mike," he disagreed. "He's driving me crazy more often than not, and he's turned my life more than a little upside down, but I wouldn't change all these weeks with him for anything." He suddenly laughed and pinned Mike with a look of pure astonishment. "Who'd have thought I'd get this attached, huh?"

Mike didn't laugh, but smiled in understanding. "I think we're all attached, Andy." He finally did laugh, and added, "Even Provenza."

Andy offered another smile in return, but along with his earlier humor it faded away quickly, and he plucked a paper from the stack next to his keyboard, once again preparing to return to work. "I just hope," he was muttering more to himself than Mike, "he has the same effect on Dunn."

"Yeah," Mike said, and knowing there was nothing more he could add to that, he, too, turned back to his computer, intent on returning to work. However, before he could even try to remember what he was in the middle of doing before Rusty's text message had interrupted them, Andy spoke again.

"After all the stunts his mother pulled," his tone was low, laced with contempt for the stunts in question, "I'm not sure Rusty'd be able to handle another parental disappointment." Mike turned his chair around again, and found the piece of paper Andy had taken a second ago slightly crumpled in his hand as his eyes burned a hole in his keyboard. "If Dunn messes this up, I'm not sure I will be able to either."

That Andy was distrustful of Rusty's biological father was no secret. Truth be told, Mike wasn't entirely trusting of the man himself. Being two hours late for what was supposed to be an exciting weekend to get to know each other was just one of the reasons why. "If Dunn messes this up, he'll have the entire department to answer to."

Andy looked at him, his grip on the paper slackening. "Thanks," he nodded somberly, "that means a lot."

. . .

Andy collapsed back against the front door the moment it closed and let out an exhausted sigh. Due to the case, he hadn't been home in close to forty-eight hours and despite previously dreading the silent loneliness in Rusty's absence, he was now actually relieved to be back. He hadn't received an update from the kid since earlier that morning and a huge part of him was concerned about that fact. Nevertheless, he was trying to remain optimistic by forcing himself to believe that Rusty was simply having too much fun and hadn't found the time to message or call.

After the Captain had called Mike and him with her plan, the case quickly picked up momentum, and he didn't have much time to worry about his foster son; he had finally received the distraction he was looking for. Now that the case was closed, however, he found the incessant worry was creeping back up on him. He had managed to stave it off a little longer by catching a much needed meeting on his way home, but here in the confines of the walls of his condo, with nothing more than the television to distract him, he was already finding it very hard to not want to check his phone constantly. He had entertained the idea of sending Rusty a text himself, but he hated the idea of interrupting any potential fun the kid could be having and quickly disregarded that idea.

He let out another tired sigh as he tossed the keys he still held towards the bowl a few steps directly in front of him. That sigh turned into a groan when they completely missed the bowl and hit the edge of table it was sitting on before clattering to the floor. He stared blankly at them for a few moments, willing them to magically jump into the bowl on their own accord, but eventually gave in and pushed himself off the door to stoop and pick them up. This time when he groaned it was not out of frustration, but a response to how his body ached and his joints popped, a rude reminder that he was not so young anymore.

Once the keys were deposited in the correct place, he finally stepped out of the foyer and into the intersecting hallways that lead to the rest of the condo. It was then that he noticed the light in the hall proceeding to Rusty's end of the condo was on. When the kid first started staying with him, he had a penchant for leaving on every single light in each room he entered and it had taken a couple of weeks to mostly break him of that habit. These days, it was only occasionally that Rusty would forget to turn out a light and it was usually when he was leaving the condo in a rush or if he was distracted. Considering yesterday was the day Daniel was picking him up, Andy figured it was the latter option.

Normally Andy would've been there to remind the kid to turn out the light, but since he had been called to a crime scene in the middle of the night, he had merely swung by the condo on his way back to the PAB and texted Rusty to meet him downstairs. If he had made the trek up yesterday morning, there was no doubt that he would've chided Rusty about forgetting to turn everything off and been rewarded with the same eye roll that Rusty typically responded with. Just thinking about the now familiar exchange brought a small smile to Andy's face. That smile turned into a perplexed frown the moment he switched off the hall light and the dim glow emanating from beneath Rusty's bedroom door became noticeable. It wasn't that the light was left on that confused him considering the same had been done in the hall, but the fact that the door was closed. Rusty always left the door open when he left his room.

Andy slowly walked the short distance to the end of the hall and stopped just outside Rusty's bedroom. He paused, leaning his ear towards the door and listened for any noise coming from the room. Not hearing anything, he raised a fist and knocked rapidly on the door.

"Rusty," he tentatively asked, "you in there?"

He heard some shuffling and there was an extended paused silence before a muffled "I'm fine," came from the room.

Andy's frown deepened, that wasn't necessarily the question he asked, and it brought forth a whole slew of others, namely the next one he asked. "What are you doing home already? I thought you were staying at Daniel's until tomorrow."

There was another long pause before Rusty answered once again, this time his voice sounding slightly louder, indicating he was now standing just on the other side of the door. "Something came up so I came home early."

"What suddenly came up?" Andy was becoming increasingly suspicious of Rusty's vague responses. "And why didn't you call me?"

"It's nothing," Rusty quickly responded, trying to sound reassuring but not actually succeeding. "I'm tired, can we just talk tomorrow?"

Now Andy was suspicious and annoyed. Bracing his hands on either side of the door, he spoke slowly and with enough warning in his tone so that the kid wouldn't twice think about arguing with him. "I think you need to open this door right now and tell me exactly what's going on."

"Fine. Just–" Even through the door the quiver in Rusty's voice was detectable. "Just...just don't freak out, okay?"

Andy's grip on the door frame tightened because nothing good ever followed that sentence. "Please open the door," he said as calmly as he could manage.

The quiet sounds of the lock being turned filled the deafening silence as Andy anxiously waited on the other side. Initially, Rusty opened the door just a crack, but Andy's impatient sigh prompted him to swing it open the rest of the way. He stared at his feet for a few more beats before finally lifting his gaze to meet his foster dad's.

At first Andy was silent and motionless as he examined Rusty's face, but once he realized that the bruise surrounding his eye and the busted lip were not a figment of his imagination, his anger fully erupted.

"What the hell happened to your face?" Andy's voice reverberated loudly in the quiet condo.

At the same time as he shouted, he had abruptly taken a step into the room, attempting to get a better look at Rusty's face in the light, but only succeeded in scaring the kid even more. The way Rusty flinched and flung his hands up to protect himself had Andy cursing at himself and quickly retreating back into the hall.

Although his anger was still very much detectable by the stony expression on his face and by the way his fists were clenched tightly at his sides, in a much softer tone he once again asked, "How the hell did your face get busted up?"

"Daniel and I," Rusty's face dropped once again as he fumbled for his words, "we sort of...had a...misunderstanding."

"What kind of misunderstanding?" Andy asked through gritted teeth. However, before Rusty could respond Andy continued speaking. "You know what," he pointed a finger, "it doesn't really matter because I'm gonna kill him." He immediately pivoted on his heels and began storming down the hall back towards the front door.

Rusty was hot on his heels though. "Where are you going?"

"To have a little chat with Daniel Dunn and sort out this misunderstanding." Andy sneered as he said the word.

Rusty reached out to grab Andy's arm, hoping to stop him. "Are you sure that's a wise idea?"

"Probably not," Andy shook Rusty's hand off, "but I'm too pissed off to care right now."

"All the more reason for you to stay here." Rusty reached around Andy's back and snatched the keys from the bowl before he could pick them up.

Andy turned to face Rusty, one hand was braced on his hip and the other was held out in front of him with his palm up. "Give me the keys, Rusty."

Rusty shook his head and hid the keys behind his back. "You're not thinking clearly right now."

"Sure I am." Andy leaned in closer, bending slightly so that he was eye-level with Rusty. A maniacal smile crossed his face as he deliberately spoke. "I'm gonna go over to Mr. Dunn's house and give him a taste of his own medicine." One side of his mouth twitched up, turning his smile into a sneer. "See how he likes it. Now," he made a 'give me' motion with his fingers, "hand over the keys."

"That's a stupid idea and you know it." Rusty took a large step back, but he still stood his ground against Andy. "What do you think will happen to me once DCFS finds out about you beating the crap out of Daniel? Do you think they're gonna let me stay with you or him?" He flung his hands out in desperation. "Then where will I go?"

Both of Andy's hands dropped heavily down to his sides and he straightened back to his full height. It wasn't necessarily Rusty's words that finally gave him pause, but the panicked tone they were spoken in combined with the unshed tears that were pooling his eyes. Andy examined his face for the second time in two minutes, this time noticing the fear that Rusty was no longer able to suppress. He also noticed that the kid's lip had started to lightly bleed again, no doubt from arguing with him.

Despite appearing calmer than a few seconds before, Andy was anything but. However, he was thinking more rationally and quickly formed a new plan. He brushed past Rusty as he pulled his phone out of his pocket and headed towards the kitchen. Not bothering to locate the number in his contacts, he forcefully punched the buttons as he dialed the number from memory. He had made it all the way to the kitchen and opened the freezer door by the time his call was answered.

"Provenza," he barked out, not allowing his partner to finish grumbling about the late hour of the call, "I want Daniel Dunn arrested, and I want him arrested now."

Provenza groaned. "What the hell are you going on about now?"

"I said," Andy spoke slower, his tone even more frustrated and annoyed than before, "I want Daniel Dunn arrested. Now."

"Flynn," Provenza sighed, his own frustrations bubbling up, "we're gonna need a reason other than you not liking the guy to do that. You know I don't like the situation any more than you do, but–"

"I have a good reason," Andy interrupted him, his voice increasing in volume to a shout as he continued on. "I came home and found Rusty with his face busted up!"

There was a brief pause before Provenza responded. "I'll be right there."

"Fine!" Andy shouted once more before he hung up and tossed the phone on the counter next to the refrigerator. He stared blankly into the still open freezer until he remembered why he had gone to it in the first place. He grabbed one of the multiple ice packs that he still had from that time he was attacked outside his AA meeting and slammed the door shut once again. When he turned, he found Rusty nervously perched on the edge of a barstool on the opposite side of the island. He gently tossed the ice pack so that when it landed it slid a short distance before stopping right in front of the kid. "Put that on your face," he pointed at the object, "I'm gonna go get a first-aid kit." He then headed towards his bedroom.

"We're past the ice stage," Rusty called after him.

"Do it anyways," Andy shouted over his shoulder, letting Rusty know he was not to be argued with.

Once inside his room, he just barely managed to not slam the door shut behind him. He had come into the room to grab his first-aid kit which was under his bathroom sink, but decided it would be best to take a moment to cool off first. His temper had already frightened Rusty once, he didn't want the kid to feel threatened again because he couldn't keep a lid on it. Shrugging out of his jacket, he tossed it across the foot of his bed, then proceeded to do something he rarely did—roll up the sleeves of his shirt. His hands were itching to do something, and in lieu of planting his fist through a wall, or better yet Daniel Dunn's face, this was his only option. His breaths were coming in short, quick successions so he reached up to loosen the knot of his tie. Initially, he struggled to get a good grip on the fabric, but eventually managed to untie it using both hands before ripping it from around his neck, causing the tail end to snap when it released from the collar.

Andy sank down onto his mattress, not caring that his suit jacket was now crumpled beneath him. With his tie still gripped tightly in his hand, he braced his elbows on his knees and dropped his head into his palms. Daniel wasn't the only person he was mad at, he was also mad at himself, probably more so than the other man. His gut had been telling him all along that Daniel was bad news, but by trying to do what was best for Rusty, he went against his better judgement, and this is what happened. Deep down he knew there really wasn't much he could've done to keep Daniel at bay, but that didn't prevent him from wondering what if he had dug his heels in a little more and insisted on being present every time they met up, then this might not have happened. But then again, he also found himself thinking that it might have only delayed the inevitable and it could be for the best that this unfortunate event occurred while Rusty was still technically in his custody. That thought, however, only pissed him off more because what kind of awful person was grateful for the impeccable timing of a kid getting physically assaulted by his biological father.

Andy sighed and dropped his hands, letting them hang down between his knees. The truth was that there was no good scenario for this situation because it was just shitty all around...but mainly for Rusty. He may not have been able to prevent this from happening, but he would make damn sure it never happened again. He wouldn't say that his anger had abated, but he found his resolve, and that was to make sure Daniel Dunn paid for what he did, one way or another. He sat there for a few minutes longer before leaving his tie lying next to his jacket and rising from the edge of the bed to finally retrieve the first-aid kit he initially came in the room to get.

Walking back to the kitchen, Andy found Rusty still sitting at the bar top with the ice pack lightly pressed against his face. Just as he set the kit down on the counter, the doorbell rang, alerting him to Provenza's arrival. A small frown creased Andy's brow. He must've been in his room longer than he realized. His partner lived close by, but not that close.

Rusty accidentally dropped the ice pack into his lap, then fumbled with it until finally placing it onto the bar top. "Who's here?" he asked with a tinge of panic in his tone.

"Relax, Kid," Andy patted Rusty's shoulder as he walked behind him towards the door, "it's just Provenza." Before disappearing down the hall, he pointed to the object on counter. "Put that back on your face."

When Andy opened the front door, he was surprised to find not only his partner at the door, but the Captain as well. He looked back and forth between the pair standing shoulder to shoulder a few times before finally stepping back and fully opening the door for them to enter. "You two drive over together, too?"

Provenza scowled at his partner "Of course not!" He then pushed past Andy, his chin lifted defiantly. "She was waiting downstairs when I arrived."

Before their bickering could escalate any further, Sharon turned to Andy as he shut the door behind them. "Where's Rusty?" she asked, getting straight to the point.

Andy pointed down the hall. "In the kitchen."

Knowing where to go, Provenza didn't bother waiting for Andy to lead the way, he just started walking down the hallway. "What exactly happened?" he asked over his shoulder.

The Captain had asked him the same question when he called her, but had no details for her. Due to Andy's apparent level of anger over the phone, he had figured this was something best handled in person and hadn't stayed on the phone long enough to gleam any real answers. His partner had seemed to calm down to a degree though, so he reckoned now was as good a time as any.

"I'm not really sure," Andy replied with a shrug.

Provenza stopped halfway down the hall to turn and look at his partner. "What kind of detective are you?"

"Look," Andy stepped forward and pointed a finger in Provenza's face, "it's taken every ounce of control I have to not go over there and just shoot the prick, so why don't you cut me some slack?"

"Gentlemen," Sharon said in warning, "how about we go talk to Rusty and find out?" She made a flicking motion with her hand, indicating for Provenza to keep walking.

Rusty had heard them as they were coming down the hall and he turned around on the stool to face the entrance when they walked into the room. There was a simultaneous "Ye, Gods," from Provenza and a small gasp from Sharon as she brought her hand up to her lips when they both got a look at him.

Rusty lifted a hand to his face and gingerly pressed around his eye and cheek. "It's not that bad."

"I wouldn't be so sure about that," Andy grumbled as he stepped up next to Rusty and opened the first-aid kit.

"Before you do that, Andy," Sharon stopped him as he pulled an alcohol swab from the box, "we should probably take a few pictures for documentation."

"Right." Andy nodded as he dropped the swab packet back into the box. He began looking around and patting his pockets in search for his phone, not remembering where he had last left it.

"Here," Sharon said, pulling her phone from her back pocket, "use mine." She unlocked the phone and pulled up the camera before handing it over to him.

"Thanks," Andy muttered as he held the phone in front of the kid's face. "Hold still."

Rusty rolled his eyes, but did as he was asked. Andy quickly took a few pictures, making sure to get several angles before handing Sharon back her phone. Everyone's attention being focused on him, in combination with the tense silence, was beginning to make Rusty nervous. That feeling intensified when the Captain focused her sympathetic gaze on him and asked if he could explain what had happened.

"Well," Rusty started nervously, dropping his gaze to his lap as he began to fiddle with the edge of his shirt, "Annie, his obnoxious fiance, was asking me all these, like, really personal questions about, like, how I'd gotten along without my mother."

As Rusty relayed the details of what had transpired, Andy could feel what little control he had gained over his temper slipping. By the time Rusty ended his story with "And then he hit me," he was even angrier than when he first caught sight of the kid.

"So, the asshole was once again only thinking of himself and got pissed when something wasn't going his way." He ripped open the packet he had once again picked up and yanked out the swab from inside. "What a surprise," he snarled out sarcastically as he pressed it against Rusty's lip a little too forcefully.

When Rusty winced, Sharon stepped up. "How about I do that, Andy?"

She had noticed that Andy was becoming increasingly more agitated as Rusty spoke and she was becoming concerned with where he was currently directing that anger. She knew that Andy wasn't mad at Rusty, but she also didn't want him to unintentionally hurt Rusty further. Provenza must have noticed as well because he also spoke up.

"Flynn," Provenza began walking towards the living room, "let's go get some fresh air." As he walked behind his partner, he snagged a part of the back of Andy's shirt between his thumb and forefinger and gave it a light tug.

Andy's shoulders slumped in shame. "Yeah, okay." He dropped the swab onto the counter and mumbled a quiet apology to Rusty before following Provenza outside.

Once the two men left, Sharon picked up where Andy had left off and began dabbing at Rusty's lip with a new swab. This time when he winced it wasn't from too much pressure being applied, but the sting of the alcohol, and even though it was not her fault, she apologized repeatedly.

Rusty watched her intently during the entire process. This definitely was not the first time someone had used him as a punching bag, but it was the first time someone made the effort to care for him afterwards. He found it equally unsettling and intriguing that that someone was a person he hadn't really known, much less liked, that long ago. Other than Provenza and Buzz, and Andy of course, the Captain was the only other person from the squad that Rusty had spent any real time with over the last few months.

Once he got over his dislike of her, for reasons he couldn't even remember now, he realized she was nothing like he initially thought. She was clearly dedicated and focused on doing her job right, that much was obvious, but Rusty had come to realize just how thoughtful Sharon Raydor was. Her thoughtfulness didn't only pertain to working a case when he'd often observed her sit back listening to her team as the wheels turned in her mind, but she was considerate of those around her. There had been many instances while the team was out in the field that it would be just her and him left in the murder room. Rusty generally kept to himself, but many a time she had stopped by his cubicle to check in on him and see if he needed anything. The first time she did, he was a bit surprised, but eventually he had come to expect seeing her head poke around the entrance of his cubicle at some point during the day. At first, he kept his response to the minimal "I'm fine," or "I'm okay," but eventually he started sharing small aspects of his day and she did the same. They didn't have much to discuss other than St. Joseph's or perhaps a few details from the teams' current case, and sometimes Andy, but still, he and the Captain had formed what he would call a friendly relationship.

Rusty was amazed by how different his opinion of her now was from when he first met her. Furthermore, he was awestruck just how different the Captain he had come to know seemed to be from the person that was standing before him now. He realized that for the first time he was getting a glimpse of Sharon. She was no longer the Captain asking him for details of the altercation with Daniel, she was now just Sharon, his friend that was truly concerned with his well-being. He wondered just how many people got to see the true Sharon because she was always so guarded, which he supposed she had good reason to be, and it was another thing they had in common. Just like him, he suspected it wasn't very often that her walls came down and she let someone else in. It occurred to him in that moment that to have the friendship of Sharon Raydor was something pretty special.

Once she was done treating his lip, Sharon took a moment to survey the rest of his bruises up close. Gently brushing the hair out of his face, a pained expression crossed her features when she got a good peek at the discolored and swollen skin around his eye. Her gaze slid from his cheekbone to look him directly in the eyes. Her tone was soft when she asked, "How are you doing?"

Rusty knew she was inquiring about more than his bruises, and that combined with his new realizations about her, left him feeling self-conscious. "I'm fine," he shook his head and leaned back away from her touch, "it's really not that bad."

He quickly hopped up from the stool, turning away from Sharon's gentle, yet scrutinizing gaze. She didn't push him on the matter, instead focusing her attention on organizing and packing up the first-aid kit, and for that he was grateful. Nevertheless, he did feel bad for his brash reaction to her simply being kind and helpful, so rather than completely shutting her out, he decided to strike up a different conversation.

"You know," Rusty slowly began as he opened the door to the fridge, "I knew Andy would be mad, but I didn't think he would get this mad." He grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and just as he was about to close the door again, he realized he should probably grab one for the Captain, too.

"Hmm," Sharon nodded, "Lieutenant Flynn can be very," she paused mid-movement as she attempted to find the appropriate word, "passionate," she continued closing the lid on the box, "when it comes to something or someone he cares about." She looked over at Rusty with a small, knowing smile.

Rusty let her words sink in for a moment as he slid the bottle for her across the counter. He never really thought about whether or not Andy actually cared about him, he always just assumed Andy was simply fulfilling his duties as a foster parent. But the more he thought about it, the more he realized Andy had actually gone above and beyond any of the other foster parents he had been with. He had even done more than his own mom had, particularly when it came to men using him as a punching bag. Sharon Beck had never reacted to seeing Rusty beaten the way Andy had. In fact, there were a few times she had sat back and done nothing. He had always told himself it was because his mom was afraid, but now, taking her most recent disappearing act into account, he wasn't so sure.

"That passion," Rusty said, thinking about how Andy had exploded earlier, intent on making Daniel pay, "doesn't always help him make smart decisions."

Sharon let out a little snort laugh. "Hmm," she gave another noncommittal hum as she pressed her lips together in an attempt regain her composure. She tilted her head to the side and looked over at Rusty thoughtfully. "It's one of the things that makes him a great detective though."

"Yeah," Rusty cracked open the lid on his bottle, "it makes him a pretty great foster parent, too." He quickly brought the bottle to his lips in an attempt to hide the embarrassment he suddenly felt for saying that out loud.

Sharon sensed that he was feeling self-conscious for his candid response and simply responded with a "Yes," before picking up the water Rusty had passed over to her.

Rusty appreciated that she didn't push or force him to share more than he was willing, and for that reason along with her letting her guard down for him, he found himself doing the same and answering her earlier question. "I really am fine, you know." When Sharon gave him a look that said she didn't quite believe him, he went on to clarify. "This isn't the first time something like this," he made a circular motion around his face, "has happened to me."

The sad smile Sharon gave him indicated she was not surprised by this news. "I'm sorry," she apologized again for the umpteenth time that night even though she was not responsible, but wanting him to know she hated that it had happened to him.

"Yeah," Rusty responded quietly, letting her know he appreciated her sentiment even if it wasn't necessary. "But," he gazed at her intently for a moment before turning it towards where Andy was standing on the balcony, "this is the first time that anyone has seemed to care." He looked at her once again, giving her a small, appreciative smile. "It's nice."

"Yes, it is," Sharon responded resolutely, telling him she knew exactly what he was saying.

Neither of them said anything after that, both content just to appreciate this quiet understanding that they had reached between themselves.

. . .

From the moment they stepped outside, Provenza had been subtly observing the interactions between the Captain and Rusty from the window. "Why does she have to suddenly seem so," his face twisted up in disgust, "normal?"

Andy was leaning over the balcony's guardrail, surveying the traffic below. He had finally managed to calm down and was simply relishing in the quiet before he had to go back in and deal with it all. He glanced over his shoulder at his partner and rolled his eyes. "Ever think she may have been normal all along?"

"Don't be an idiot," Provenza huffed. "You know," his tone had suddenly become a little too gleeful, indicating he was most definitely about to pester his partner, "you two are awfully friendly lately."

Andy recognized what his partner was trying to do, it wasn't the first time he had brought the topic up. Provenza had been hung up on the idea since Andy had been the first to step up and help their Captain out, and now every time the two of them had a civil conversation, Provenza over-analyzed the situation just to try and get a rise out of him. Tonight, however, he wasn't in the mood to indulge the man by participating in one of his little games.

Andy stood straight and turned to point a finger at the older man. "You're the one that called and invited her over tonight."

Provenza's face reddened and he returned the pointing finger. "Don't you dare try to turn this back on me, Flynn."

"What?" Andy asked not-so-innocently. "You are the one that called her."

Provenza scowled, irritated that his plan had backfired. "Have you pulled your head out of your ass long enough for us to deal with this situation?" Not waiting for Andy to reply, he slid open the balcony door and stepped into the condo. "Captain," he called out loudly as he crossed the living room, "I'm hoping you have a plan because at this point I'd be content to just let Flynn shoot the bastard and be done with him."

Once a course of action had been decided on and Sharon and Provenza left, Andy and Rusty quickly called it a night, too. However, if Andy's remaining awake for hours as he still reeled from the evening's events was anything to go by, he doubted Rusty was faring any better than him when it came to relaxing and letting time do its job.

The following couple of days continued to keep them both on edge, when it seemed like Daniel Dunn wasn't smart enough to get their hint. Andy worried that Daniel's being a colossal idiot would ultimately force them into going along with plan B, and he was really hoping to spare Rusty the discomfort that would come with it.

So when Daniel Dunn finally did show up in the murder room, it filled Andy with relief, but also a dangerous amount of renewed rage.

"Lieutenant Flynn?"

The man's first words put an instant scowl on Andy's face, even before he turned around to lay eyes on him. Their case immediately put on hold, the team turned their attention to Daniel as well, and tried very hard to school their features and not mirror Andy's less than welcoming expression.

"Daniel," Andy said, the name coming out in more of a bark than in the civil tone he was aiming for. He took a few steps past his captain standing in front of him and drawled sarcastically, "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

Daniel's eyes scanned over the room's occupants and Andy smirked when he detected a flicker of fear in them. Daniel took a tentative step towards him, and obviously thinking he would at least get a warmer welcome from Sharon, he threw her a polite, albeit forced smile. His attempt at being charming was rendered moot, however, and his smile awkwardly faded when with an impenetrable mask of indifference on her face, she barely even acknowledged him and only offered a single, painfully slow, almost calculated nod. Having no other choice but to respond to Andy's question then, Daniel lowered his voice and finally addressed him. "I have left you and Rusty several messages, Lieutenant." He leaned forward as if trying to keep the matter between just the two them even though it was glaringly obvious everyone knew precisely what was going on. "I would like to explain what happened."

Andy crossed his arms and his scowl deepened. "Explain?" he asked, feigning an upbeat tone. He then suddenly dropped his hands to his sides to straighten, knowing he would be towering over the man enough to get into his face, and added through gritted teeth, "I can't wait to hear that explanation."

Wide-eyed, Daniel leaned back, taking a clumsy step backwards, and put up his hands, gesturing nervously with them in a placating manner. "Andy, please," he glanced at the rest of the team again, "can we discuss this," he dared move in closer again and lowered his voice some more, "somewhere more private?"

"Oh, I'll give you p-"

Andy's response was cut short at the feel of a hand at his elbow. He turned his head to the right and was surprised to see it belonged to his Captain. She gave him a light squeeze and removed her hand once she was certain she had gotten his attention. A small, meaningful frown appeared on her brow before her eyes flickered toward her office and she tilted her head a little in the same direction. Just like that, Andy was reminded of the plan they had hatched out the previous night. Losing his temper and beating the man to a pulp the way he was itching to do just then had not been part of it. He took a deep breath, nodding his understanding at Sharon, then turned his attention back to Daniel. "Let's," he waved a hand invitingly at Sharon's office, "head to my captain's office then."

In obvious relief, and much too enthusiastically for anyone's liking, Daniel walked in the indicated direction, but Andy lingered behind for a moment, clearly needing a second more to get his emotions under better control. He gave his team one quick, courage-seeking look, pausing on his partner, and when he gave him a nod that was as close to a supportive "You've got this," as he would probably ever get from the man, he finally followed Daniel into the office.

"Uhm," Mike spoke, tilting his head toward Provenza, but watching Sharon's office with rapt attention once Andy closed its door, "is leaving them alone like that a good idea?"

Provenza shrugged, seemingly unconcerned. "That's why the blinds," without sparing them a glance, he waved a hand at them, "are still open."

"If I was Flynn," Julio's voice held a bit of humor, but his eyes gleamed dangerously, "I'd close them."

"While I understand the sentiment," Taylor eyed them both warningly, planting his hands on his hips, "I do trust you," he suddenly looked sharply at Sharon, "to not let this situation escalate any more than it already has."

"That," Sharon paused only long enough to meet Taylor's frown with a casually raised eyebrow, "is entirely up to Mr. Dunn here." She returned her gaze to her office, slowly folding her arms.

There was an eerie calmness to her words and entire demeanor, so much that the whole team lapsed into silence as if it were them being threatened and not the man who had laid his hand on Rusty. Taylor visibly swallowed, and, for a moment stunned, merely stared at her, clearly more unnerved than reassured by her response.

It was Julio who seemed least bothered by the reminder of just how dangerous their Captain could be if she set her mind to it. His eyes still on the two men in her office, he let out a low chuckle, gaining everybody's attention. "It's fun watching him squirm." He sounded amused, too, but the way his eyebrows momentarily drew together made it also seem like he thought Daniel Dunn deserved much worse punishment than an uncomfortable conversation with Andy.

His words made the team look back to the men in Sharon's office, and indeed Daniel seemed even more nervous now, pacing back and forth in one or two steps, gesturing wildly and uncoordinatedly with his hands, saying whatever it was he thought would get him back into Andy and Rusty's good graces.

For his part, Andy stood still, leaning with the back of his legs against the edge of Sharon's desk and his hands folded loosely across his chest. One would have thought him rather relaxed, casual even, if not for the way his jaw was firmly set and the glare with which he was watching Daniel.

"If he clenches his jaw any more," Provenza spoke, his grave tone of voice at odds with the joke he was trying to make, "it might just snap."

Julio chuckled again, doing so alone. "His teeth don't seem to be faring much better either."

Provenza laughed mirthlessly, turning to face his desk rather than the office. He was serious, when he mumbled, "He'd better not forget to record that bastard."

"He won't," Sharon said with conviction, turning to look at him. She slowly shook her head and added a bit matter-of-factly, "He didn't."

"Yeah," Amy said when Provenza frowned at Sharon in confusion, "he got his phone out right away," she offered Provenza a small, teasing smile, "did you not see him place it on the Captain's desk, Lieutenant?"

The brief wide-eyed look Amy was rewarded with said he had indeed not seen that, but far too proud to admit as much, he just scowled at her.

Not at all intimidated by the grumpy Lieutenant, Amy's smile widened, nearly turned smug, but she refrained from riling the man up any further and quickly sobered as she returned her focus on Sharon's office. "He's grown to care a lot about Rusty, hasn't he?" she asked, watching Andy with a soft look on her face.

"That's an understatement," Mike said, thinking back to his conversation with Andy on Saturday evening. Sharon nodded once at him, humming in agreement. "I just hope," Mike went on, worriedly, watching Andy push off the desk and take a menacing step toward Daniel, "his temper doesn't get the better of him and ruin this for the both of them."

"Whose temper are you worried about?" Buzz asked sarcastically when Daniel for once did not flinch or back down, but seemed to even more enthusiastically defend his case. "Lieutenant Flynn's," Buzz glanced at Mike before his eyes returned to the conversation happening in his boss's office, "or Mister Dunn's?"

A few heads turned to him, none of them comfortable with the question and even less sure of its answer, and at the unexpected attention, Buzz shrugged apologetically and mumbled, "I'm just saying…"

"Neither, Buzz," Howard suddenly spoke, having stayed out of their discussion and focusing on his phone until just then. When everyone looked at him questioningly, he glanced at the office over the rim of his glasses, a pointed tilt to his head, where Andy was in the middle of flinging the door open.

"I just wa-," Dunn was saying, but cut himself off at the sight of not one, but eight pairs of hostile eyes watching him with undisguised interest. He swallowed, then looked at Andy again. "I-I," he stammered, his eyes flickering toward the team for another moment, "really wanna fix this, okay?" He punctuated his intent by making a flat cutting motion with his hand.

A corner of Andy's mouth turned upward forming a sly sneer of a smile. "Good luck with that."

At the obvious lack of support in Andy's response, Daniel frowned, his optimism and amiable attitude evaporating instantly only to be replaced by annoyance.

However, before he could scramble for a retort to match his new attitude, Andy added, "See you tomorrow, Mr. Dunn."

Daniel's eyes widened at the dry dismissal, but he straightened his jacket out, summoning what little dignity was left in him, glowered at the team, then nodded. "See you tomorrow," he said, taking his leave at a brisk, almost angry pace.

For a moment, everyone just stared at the disappearing figure of Daniel Dunn, but the second the man was out of sight and earshot, Andy bit out, his words nearly a hiss, "He was trying to discipline the kid!" He curled his hands into fists. "Discipline!" he growled out, taking a seat at his desk and slamming his fists against the desktop, rattling several items on it noisily. "I should just arrest the dirtbag."

Provenza seemed more than willing to help with that course of action. "You still can."

"No, no," Andy shook his head, his gaze fixed on his hands as he unclenched them and flexed his fingers. "I have to do this right for Rusty." He was speaking more to himself than his teammates, but when he turned his chair toward them and saw the supportive looks on their faces, even Taylor's, he relaxed a little more and finally addressed them, shrugging helplessly. "He's a witness in one trial already, I am not adding him on the witness list for another." He looked between Provenza and Sharon and nodded in determination. "We stick to the plan."

"Your call, Flynn," Provenza mumbled, leaning back in his chair to downplay his actual concern.

"And I have to talk to Rusty about it," Andy added, speaking to himself again and completely ignoring his partner. He heaved a heavy sigh, and when he looked back at his team, he found expectant and sympathetic expressions on their faces. He appreciated their concern, but was ready to change the subject, so he waved a hand through the air as if waving the entire issue away, then said, pleadingly, "Can we just get back to work until then?"

Taylor seemed more than eager to, but Sharon answered, a small, almost proud smile tugging at her lips as she looked from Andy to her superior officer. "Yes, we can do that."

…

When Rusty finally arrived from school and, as usual, went straight to his cubicle, Andy quietly slipped out of the murder room to follow. Their investigation into the Pontiac would survive his absence for a few minutes, and he was probably much too eager to bring his foster son up to speed regarding Daniel Dunn to be of any use to his team right now anyway.

By the time he caught up with him, Rusty had already deposited his backpack on the desk and taken a seat. Not wanting to startle him, Andy leaned a shoulder against the wall once he turned the corner and gently rapped his knuckles against the hard surface to announce his presence.

Rusty was startled anyway. He instantly whirled around, wide-eyed, but quickly relaxed at the sight of Andy shaking his head at himself. "Hey, Andy."

"Hi, Kid," Andy pushed off the wall and took a few steps further into the cubicle and took a seat opposite of him. "Didn't mean to scare you," he said apologetically, but Rusty just waved him off. "How was school?"

Rusty didn't dignify that with a verbal response. Instead, he gave him a bland look, then rolled his eyes, effectively summing up his uneventful school day. Andy would have chuckled at the typical teenage reaction if not for the still painful looking bruise around his eye and the scab that had formed over the cut on his lip. The sight of that only got his blood boiling again and reminded him of the topic Rusty was quick to bring up with his next sentence. "You hear from my sperm donor yet?"

Andy leaned back in his chair and slowly nodded. "He came by a few hours ago."

Rusty's eyes went wide again. "He did?" he asked in surprise. "So ignoring his calls and messages was the way to go?"

The utter astonishment in the kid's voice had Andy glare at him, unimpressed. "Nice to know you had faith in my plan," he muttered, but his sarcasm was belied by the way his gaze softened, and half a smile quirked the corners of his mouth upwards.

Rusty smirked. "I thought it was your Captain's plan."

Andy grunted, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. It had been the Captain's plan indeed. Had they dealt with this the way his first instincts told him to, by now Daniel Dunn would have been in lock up, sporting a few nasty bruises himself. "Be that as it may," he said pointedly, "your father came by wanting to apologize."

"Apologize?" Rusty scoffed, then dropped his gaze to the desk and started fiddling with one of the straps on his backpack. "Because that'll make all of this," he waved a hand at the injured side of his face, "much better."

"Well," Andy said at length, straightening and planting his hands on the desk, waiting a beat for Rusty to look at him, "just like we'd hoped we would, we got him on tape admitting to what he's done, so," he offered Rusty an encouraging smile, "that actually should make everything better."

"You mean," Rusty's hand stilled and he let go of his backpack, "we have evidence that could put him behind bars for what he did, no questions asked."

"Or that can push him into a corner like we discussed."

Rusty sighed. Those had been the two solutions Andy's boss had come up with that evening he returned from Daniel—either arrest him and press charges, or get him to back off once and for all by merely threatening to do so. Rusty knew that Andy had originally been inclined to go with the first option, but after talking it out with his partner and the Captain, he had started leaning toward the second. Despite his own inclinations, however, what they would ultimately do, Andy had left up to Rusty, and since he was most definitely not in the mood to become a witness in another case, the course of action seemed fairly obvious to him and he told them as much. He just found it strange to be advised on what to do, rather than being outright told what to do as had been the case for the majority of his life, and that was something he was still trying to wrap his head around. "I just want this to be over as soon as possible," he finally said, hating the whining, helpless undertone to his words, but he couldn't help it. He was desperate for things to return to normal, even if he wasn't quite sure what 'normal' really entailed. All he knew was that he prefered the situation as it was before all the uncertainty that came with Daniel Dunn showing up at the PAB a few days ago.

"Then," Andy tapped his fingers against the desk with finality and relaxed in his chair, "all you have to do is show up here tomorrow at 4 pm and it will be."

Rusty took to fiddling with the hem of his shirt, his eyes firmly set on the nervous movement of his fingers. "I was kinda hoping not to have to see him again," he admitted.

Andy was well aware of that. He wasn't too keen on facing the guy again either, but probably for vastly different reasons than Rusty. For example, he doubted Rusty had to fight the urge to plant Daniel's face into a wall like he did. "It beats having to see him several times in court," he offered on a shrug.

Rusty nodded. "I know."

The defeated tone had Andy frown in puzzlement. "Unless," he hesitated, taking a second to clear his throat, "you changed your mind and want us to arrest him after all?" He knew that, as much as Rusty wanted to just get rid of Daniel and not deal with him anymore, he also struggled with the idea of Daniel possibly doing what he had done to him to somebody else. It was a bit of a moral dilemma for him as well, but in the end he took comfort in the fact that signing his rights away would not fly with Daniel's fiance, and that DCFS would continue to look into the matter even long after the ink on the papers was dry. Now, however, Andy worried that perhaps Rusty wasn't as assured with it as he was, and that he was second-guessing things.

Rusty's head snapped up. "No," he said loudly, shaking his head vigorously. Returning his voice to a more appropriate volume, he added insecurely, "But are you sure this is gonna work?"

Andy relaxed a little. "Trust me, Kid," he suddenly grinned, but the threat in his voice was unmistakable, "Daniel Dunn won't know what hit him."

"And I stay with you?" Rusty asked, looking Andy's way, but not making eye contact.

The question immediately renewed Andy's musings about taking steps to make his role in Rusty's life more permanent and more legally binding. Perhaps, after they force Daniel to relinquish his parental rights, it will be time to let Rusty in on those thoughts. He was starting to hope that, in light of all the uncertainties they had been facing these past few days, he might welcome the idea and would not misinterpret his intentions. "And," Andy started pointedly, waiting a beat until Rusty finally met his eyes to flash him a reassuring smile, "you stay with me." He punctuated his answer with a resolute nod of his head.

Nervously, but visibly more reassured, for the tension in his shoulders faded away and they sagged in obvious relief, Rusty returned his smile. "Okay then." He started nodding his head, growing more confident with each nod. "Tomorrow, 4 pm, we get this over and done with."

. . .

"Now, this is the best deal we've done so far." Provenza pointed towards the Captain and gave her a very narrowed look despite the smile that formed on his mouth. "I think this calls for a celebration."

"What kind of celebration, Sir?" Julio asked skeptically, hoping the older Lieutenant remembered that they couldn't take Rusty out for a beer.

"We're all going out and Flynn's gonna buy us burgers," Provenza responded in a tone that indicated it was the obvious answer.

"What?" Andy practically shrieked when he whirled around to look at his partner. "How is it that your plans always end up costing me money?"

That was how Rusty found himself sitting at his favorite burger place with the entire Major Crimes squad. They were crowded around the three tables that had been pushed together to accommodate them all, and the last hour was spent enjoying their burgers while everyone, but mostly Provenza, harassed Andy about one thing or another. Rusty had joined in a few times, particularly when they gave Andy flak for ordering a veggie burger because he never passed up that opportunity, but mostly he had kept quiet and just observed. A lot had transpired over the last few hours and it was taking time for him to process it all.

"Are you not enjoying yourself?"

The question was spoken quietly and came from his left where the Captain was sitting at the end of the table. Much like himself, she had mostly been observing the interactions between everyone else, only chiming in when she was directly addressed.

"Huh?" Rusty murmured distractedly as he turned to look her. He shook his head as though to physically dispel the thoughts where his mind had lingered. Doing so seemed to allow for her question to finally register and he proceeded to answer before she had to restate it. "No, I am."

Sharon's eyes narrowed and she gave Rusty a scrutinizing look. "You're awfully quiet to be enjoying yourself."

"So are you," Rusty countered and pointed to her with the small, crunchy fry he held before popping it into his mouth.

Lifting her water glass to her lips to disguise the small smile threatening to form, Sharon simply hummed in response, not wanting to concede his point that she hadn't engaged in much of the conversation either. She was also not willing to let him distract her so easily in an attempt to avoid the topic at hand. Knowing that she had prompted him enough with her initial question, she lowered her glass and patiently waited for him to continue. She was pleased when she didn't have to wait all that long.

"It's...it's just—" Rusty stammered as he struggled to put into words what he was feeling. He glanced nervously in the direction where the team was still laughing and joking about something Provenza said before looking back at Sharon, then ultimately dropping his gaze down to his lap as he continued in a low voice. "Is it weird that we're celebrating me becoming an orphan? I mean, I never thought I would feel this relieved, this, this," he nervously rubbed his hands over his jean-clad thighs, "happy to not have a family." He looked up at her through his lashes and smiled sheepishly. "But I am."

"Rusty," Sharon sighed and smiled encouragingly at him, "you might not have a mom and dad, but you do have a family." She cautiously reached a hand out and gave his arm a gentle squeeze. "Sometimes a family is one you choose," she looked at each member of the team in turn, but ultimately her eyes landed on Andy, "or just maybe they choose you."

"Yeah," Rusty said thoughtfully as his gaze followed Sharon's.

He was slowly beginning to realize just what the Captain was saying. Although Andy had played the prominent role in his life recently, the entire squad had really stepped up for him. When he entered the conference room with Andy that afternoon, he was surprised to find Buzz, Lieutenant Tao, and Detectives Sanchez and Sykes already waiting. The Captain and Lieutenant Provenza had joined them with Daniel in tow, and every single one of them helped him stand up to Mr. Dunn. Helped him to leave his biological family behind so that he could make room for the one he chose. For the one that chose him.

It was a lot for him to take in just then, especially being surrounded by so many people. He was beginning to feel a bit overwhelmed by all the emotions he was feeling at the moment. When he turned to look back at the Captain, she was smiling at him knowingly. It was then that he also realized he wasn't the only one that had been determining how to fit into a new life. She had just taken over Major Crimes at the same time he was dropped into their laps. Rusty had observed how the team had been less than receptive to her presence, and he had also observed how their attitude towards her had changed in the following months. Much like his, their opinion of her had definitely shifted. There was a respect for her that they didn't have before and Rusty thought she may still be figuring out how to respond to it all. He was also fairly certain that none of the team, except for maybe Andy as she helped him navigate the chaos of Daniel Dunn, had got a glimpse at the real Sharon yet like he had. Rusty considered the fact that in order for that to happen she may just need a little nudge the same way she nudged him. After all, she was one of the main reasons he had decided to give into his fears and trust Andy, to accept the help that he and the rest of the team were so selflessly offering him.

"You know," Rusty gave Sharon a cheeky smile, "I think you just might've have been chosen, too."

Sharon opened her mouth to speak, but then immediately snapped it closed again. Pressing her lips in a thin line, she tilted her head from side to side as she mulled over Rusty's words. After a brief moment, she righted her head once again as she looked directly at Rusty. "Maybe so," she said with a shrug that she hoped conveyed indifference. If Rusty's indulgent huff of laughter was any indication, she was not quite successful.

Thankfully for her, Rusty wasn't given much longer to be smug about his revelation for the mention of his name drew both of their attention.

"Rusty," Amy paused to make sure she had his attention. "Who's your favorite team?"

"My favorite team?" Rusty asked confused, having not been focusing on their recent conversation.

"I think they're discussing baseball," Sharon murmured softly to him, indicating that she had at least been half listening.

"Oh," Rusty waved off the question with disinterest, "I don't watch baseball."

"What?" Provenza practically shouted from his seat at the farthest end of the table. His look of shock transformed to a glare when he turned to look at his partner. "The kid has been living with you for at least two months and he doesn't watch baseball!"

"How is this all of a sudden my fault?" Andy threw up his hands in defeat.

Rusty chuckled when the bickering between the two older men once again continued. He looked up at the Captain when he heard her giggling softly, too, and they shared a knowing smile. When they refocused on the two Lieutenants, Rusty realized Andy was looking their way. He must have caught their private exchange, for he nodded gratefully at her and she returned the nod with a small smile, too. Before returning his attention to his still yammering partner, Andy caught Rusty's eye and, over a crooked smile, winked at him knowingly. Caught off guard, Rusty just ducked his head and shook it. Yeah, he was choosing this crazy, abnormal family, and they were choosing him. It left him with a feeling of belonging that he had never experienced before.

-TBC-

A/N: If you have made it to the end of this incredibly long chapter, please leave us a review and let us know what you thought!

You should also know that we will be going on a bit of a hiatus for a while. We haven't changed our minds, we will be continuing this story, however, it is going to take some time for us to rack up enough season 2 chapters so that we can resume our more or less regular weekly updates. We hope you will be patient and more importantly that you will continue to read this story once we're ready to start posting again. Until then… ta-ta!