Disclaimer: I do NOT own Desperate Housewives or any of the characters. I do not own the songs I named the chapters after. No copyright infringement is intended.

A/N: To make it a bit more real, I named both the different chapters and the fic itself after songs from musicals by Stephen Sondheim (except for You'll never walk alone, which was originally from Carousel, by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein), because that's where most of DH episodes got their titles from. Have fun! :)

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Mary Alice's voiceover

According to the Bible, work is a punishment to the whole mankind for Adam and Eve's mistake. Some people hate going to work, just as they hate any other obligation. Others regard it simply as something you have to do, so you'd better do it with a little bit of enthusiasm. However, there are certain people for whom work is a blessing, a way of life. My friends Bree Hodge and Katherine Mayfair are a good example. Not only do they enjoy what they do, but it also helps them forget all their other problems. And on that day, they had been working with more passion than ever.

'Three hours!' Katherine exclaimed, looking at her watch 'I think we just broke a new record!' she added with a smile.

'Yes…' Bree sighed, with not much enthusiasm 'Once again, we're done much earlier than expected'

'I know. Come on, this deserves a drink. What are you having?'

'I don't know… Martini?'

Katherine looked daggers at her.

'You see, Bree, there's a little problem here. You're not allowed to drink any alcohol, remember? You know what happens when you do…'

'I know'

Katherine realized that something was wrong with her friend. She had been full of energy while they both had been working, but now she looked absent and troubled. She walked towards her and searched her face.

'Is everything alright?'

'Yes, don't worry'

Bree forced herself to smile, but that did not fool Katherine. She knew her too well.

'You know what?' she turned to the kitchen and took two mugs from a cupboard 'I think we should continue this conversation with a hot chocolate. Looks like we both could use one'

Bree nodded. She did not feel like talking much… but she did not want to be alone with nothing to do. In the past few months, she had been going through a lot – being afraid of going to prison and losing her business, a hard divorce, an affair she would have never expected…

The sound of the kettle filled the room. Katherine switched it off and poured some hot water in the mugs, which she mixed with chocolate powder. She added some milk and handed one to Bree, who was sitting on a chair.

'There you go' she said, as she sat on a chair next to her 'Now let's toast'

'To what?' Bree raised her eyebrows.

'Well, we're back in business. Doesn't that deserve a celebration?'

'You're right. That's probably the only thing that actually deserves one'

Katherine stared at her friend.

'Are you gonna tell me what's going on?'

Bree was not the kind of person who liked to share her emotions and worries with other people, but she knew Katherine would never stop insisting until she told her. Besides, her intense looks always made her break down eventually. They both were far too close.

'It's just…' she started, reluctantly 'I don't know. The last months have been hell, and I'm really glad everything's over, but still… I'm not completely satisfied with my life'

'Why?' Katherine wondered 'You got your business back, which is what you wanted. You finally got rid of Orson, who was causing nothing but trouble, and you even got to keep your house and all your little treasures. And all of this thanks to Karl, who by the way seems to adore you'

'Karl? Yes, he definitely did a great job. And he's also been a breath of fresh air to me, which I really needed'

'So?'

Bree looked down at her chocolate.

'I don't love him. Let's face it, deep inside we both know that it would never be anything serious. He's been there for me at a hard time of my life, but that's all there is to it'

'Why don't you tell him?'

'It's not that easy, Katherine'

'Look, I don't know Karl too well' Katherine admitted 'But he doesn't seem to me like the kind of guy who has many problems to get over a break-up. I'm sure he'll understand'

'No, that's not it' Bree whispered, ashamed of her thought 'It's just… what will I do when he's gone?'

'I can't believe you're saying that!' Katherine exclaimed 'You're a strong, independent and successful woman. And you know that. You don't need a man in your life'

'I do' a stray tear fell down Bree's cheek 'As much as I hate to admit it, I'm scared of ending up alone'

Katherine took Bree's hand and looked deep into her green eyes.

'Sweetie, you're not alone. You've never been and you never will'

Bree looked back at her, her lips curved in a melancholic, but thankful smile.

To be continued…