Sequel to 'Her Weakness' requested by Frakkingblerg (There's another two Goldfish sections that I threw in for you, but it's only a mention of them.)

Inspired by 'Come Home' by OneRepublic

Disclaimer: I do not own anything.

–

There's Still Hope

Brenda signs her name across the black line, getting rid of her last connection to Fritz. She sighs, putting the pen down and looking into his sad eyes. They both knew it was going to happen, but she can see that he wishes it hadn't come to this. It was time for Brenda to grow up and growing up meant getting rid of all her baggage so she could have the life she really wants. And the life she really wants doesn't include Fritz. Now all she needs to do is make Sharon see that there's nothing holding them back. Well, nothing other than this woman Sharon's trying to replace her with, but Brenda's sure this woman isn't the one Sharon really wants.

Brenda says her goodbyes, gathering her things together and leaving the lawyer's office without even turning back to look at Fritz. She feels free now, like nothing can stop her from what she wants. She smiles to herself when the hot summer air meets her and the sun shines into her eyes. She has a wedding to get to, one that she's still a little nervous about attending. It's Sharon's daughter's wedding, Morghan, but she's not sure if Sharon's aware that she'll be there. Brenda wasn't even sure that Morghan still wanted her to be there, but the woman called her a few weeks ago to confirm that she was still going. Brenda also found out that Sharon and this woman she had yet to meet were having relationship problems, and Morghan, co-captain of the 'Get Sharon and Brenda back together club', informed her that the reason they were having problems was because Sharon was still hung up on her and Anastasia knew. So Brenda knew at that moment that she would be going to the wedding.

Brenda went shopping for the perfect dress. The dress had to be appropriate, but still show off all the parts of her body that she knew Sharon loved – well to some extent, of course. It took her going to five boutiques, three department stores, and triple the amount of stores online before she settled on one dress. The dress, which is a tad shorter than she expected, fits her body like a second skin. The Victorian lace dress comes to the middle of her thighs, the body-con silhouette accentuating her lithe form and her slight curves. It has a deep V-neck and three-quarter sleeves. The layered sheer bodice leaves her back exposed through the sheer lace. She wasn't sure what shoes to pair with the dress, wanting to look her best, and admitting to herself that sometimes she didn't always make the best choices when it came to pairing her clothes together. She wanted to wear the nude pumps that Sharon had bought her for her birthday the year before, but decided that she wanted everything to be new. This was the beginning of a new life for herself. Knowing how much Sharon liked when she decided to wear high heels, she purchased a pair of Valentino lace peep-toe pumps with a five-inch heel.

Once Brenda's hair is done with her volumized up-do, blonde curls framing her face on either side, she's ready to go. She decides not to risk getting lost and takes a cab over to the Saddlerock Ranch and Vineyards, which is where the wedding is being held. The entire ride there her stomach is in knots, her palms sweating, and she feels like a teenager on her first date. It's actually the way she felt when she and Sharon had their first date, and their second. Honestly, Brenda always gets this feeling when Sharon is involved. Her heart flutters and she can't stop herself from smiling. It's because she's madly in love with her, always will be, and it's been like this ever since she found out the kind of woman Sharon Raydor is. The caring, strong-willed, loyal to a fault, protective woman swept her off her feet before she could stop it from happening, but now she's glad she didn't stop it.

Brenda stays in the back row during the wedding, her sunglasses on the entire time. The scenery is beautiful, trees and rocks alike. The wedding in a whole is beautiful. Morghan looks gorgeous in her wedding dress, her red hair getting darker, looking more and more like Sharon's. Brenda smiles at the bride as she walks back down the aisle with her new husband Tom, and the younger woman smiles back quickly. The newly married couple follow the path until they disappear behind a set of trees. Conversation starts between the guests as they get up, making their way to the area that the outdoor reception is being held. Brenda sees Sharon talking to her other daughter, but she decides to lay low for a while, deciding to wait.

Sharon sits down next to Anastasia and passes her one of the two glasses of champagne that she went and got for them. She's been avoiding the blonde woman, talking to everyone else, not wanting to get in another fight with her girlfriend. Anastasia has no real interest in getting to know anyone at the wedding, which Sharon finds annoying. If she knew the blonde was going to sit around and brood, then she wouldn't have invited her to come along with her. Sharon sips some of her champagne from the flute and her eyes meet a pair of familiar brown eyes. She almost chokes on the champagne, coughing as she puts the flute back down on the table.

"Are you okay?" Anastasia asks, concerned. Sharon nods, reaching for the napkin because she can feel a drop of champagne on her chin. "Here, let me," Anastasia says, using the pad of her thumb to wipe it. Sharon flinches at the contact, her eyes moving away from Brenda's and to Anastasia's. "What? I can't touch you now?"

"No, I'm sorry." Sharon crosses her legs, still using the napkin to wipe her chin. Her heart is pounding in her chest and she's sure she's flushed from the neck up. Sharon turns back to where she saw Brenda, but notices the woman is up and walking towards her. "I'll be right back," she says to Anastasia, trying to excuse herself.

"You just sat down. I know it's your daughter's wedding, but you could at least sit down and talk to me for a little while," whines the younger woman.

"Ana, I just want to..."

"No, Sharon. Just give me a few minutes of your time."

Brenda clears her throat as she approaches Sharon and who she's assuming is Anastasia. She puts a hand on Sharon's bare shoulder and has to fight back the urge not to take Anastasia's hand from Sharon's thigh. "Hey Sharon," Brenda greets softly, removing her sunglasses.

Sharon licks her upper lip, trying not to focus on the blonde's hand on her shoulder. "Chief, I didn't expect to see you here," she says, willing her eyes to stay on the other woman's eyes.

Brenda ignores the way Sharon uses her rank, turning her head to give the other blonde woman a once over. Brenda recognizes the slight similarities and smirks softly, turning her head back to Sharon. "MJ said she wouldn't take no for an answer," she explains and Sharon nods her head. "So, are you gonna introduce me to your friend?"

"Girlfriend," Anastasia corrects, rolling her eyes and crossing her long legs.

Sharon glares at Anastasia. "This is Anastasia," Sharon tells Brenda, but she already knows the blonde knows that.

"Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson," Brenda tells Anastasia and sees the look of awareness cross her eyes. Good. She knows who I am. "It's nice to meet you," she says with faux cheeriness.

"Brenda?" Anastasia asks Sharon, ignoring the other blonde. "The Brenda?"

"I guess you've heard about me," Brenda says. "It's nice to put a face to the name, ain't it?"

Sharon clears her throat, standing up, her arms folded. "Chief, can I talk to you for a moment?"

"No," Anastasia answers. "You can't go somewhere with her to talk. If you want to talk to her, then do it here," she tells her girlfriend.

"Excuse me?" Both Sharon and Brenda splutter. Sharon eyes the woman. "I wasn't asking you, and I don't need your permission, Ana," she says coldly, her patience running thin with this woman. She turns to Brenda.

"Sure," Brenda finally answers, looking at Anastasia, wondering what Sharon could possibly be doing with a woman who tries to tell her what she can and cannot do. Brenda starts walking away and after a second or two Sharon's beside her, arms folded as she walks with her.

"What are you doing here?" Sharon finally asks as they step away from the loud guests.

"I told you, MJ..."

Sharon shakes her head, her luxurious locks of hair shaking. "I don't want to hear what Morghan said. Didn't you think it would be a little awkward having you here?"

Brenda looks down towards the ground, her eyes focused on Sharon's legs, which look extra long due to the Manolo Blahniks on her feet. "I wanted to see you," she tells her honestly. "But I really did want to come to the wedding. MJ and I were very close in case you forgot."

"No, I know. You should have warned me that you were going to be here, though." Sharon's eyes are raking over every inch of Brenda's body. She's trying not to, but the blonde's body is one meant to be taking in. "You look beautiful," she husks before she realizes she's saying it aloud.

Brenda blushes, looking up into Sharon's green eyes. "So do you," she tells her sweetly. Sharon's wearing a teal dress that looks great on her body. Her eyes seem to stand out more with the color on her. "I would have told you I was comin', but I was afraid you would have told me you didn't want me to."

"I would never tell you that you couldn't come. I know that Morghan appreciates that you're here," she tells her, looking behind her, looking at Anastasia, who is looking at them from the table. "She misses you," Sharon says as she turns her head back around. "So does Meghan."

"I miss them as well. Morghan and I sat up a date for lunch once she comes back from the honeymoon and gets settled in. She'll probably bring Meghan along." She looks up at Sharon with a hopeful look in her sparkling eyes. "Maybe you'll come as well, and it could be like old times."

Sharon smiles sadly, remembering the Saturday lunches they used to have with her daughters. "I don't think that would be a good idea."

"You could bring her along as well," she says, smiling in the direction of the woman they left at the table. "Though, it wouldn't be the same if she came."

"I'll consider going," Sharon tells her, tucking auburn hair behind her ear. "But I wouldn't bring her with me. The twins don't like her. They say she's not right for me."

"She's not," Brenda says under her breath. "By the way, you definitely downgraded," Brenda says lightly, wanting to see Sharon smile.

Sharon laughs softly. Sharon takes in Brenda's body again, licking her lips. "You're a tough act to follow," she husks.

Brenda blushes again, finding herself wanting to reach forward and touch Sharon, but she won't. Not because she thinks Sharon will pull away, but because she knows that Anastasia is watching and she doesn't want to do anything that might seem like they're doing more than talking. "Your girlfriend is watchin' us," Brenda tells Sharon.

Sharon doesn't turn around. "She's a bit..."

"Possessive," Brenda finishes. Sharon doesn't respond. "If your daughters tell you someone isn't right, then maybe they're seein' somethin' you aren't. I know you; and I know how you are, so I don't see why you would even be with a woman like that."

Sharon shrugs her shoulders. "Things with her are easy. Well, they were. I don't expect you to understand, though." Sharon takes a step backwards. "I think I should get back to Ana."

Brenda pouts, nodding her head. "I'll see you later, Shar." Sharon nods and then turns and leaves, aware that Brenda is watching her walk away.

There is the sound of silverware hitting glass and then Brenda turns her head, seeing Morghan and Tom share a kiss. Everyone lifts their drinks, smiling and clapping. Shortly after comes their first dance, which Brenda watches with a smile on her face. Every now and then she turns her head to look at Sharon, watching her as she smiles, watching her daughter dance with her new husband. Sharon's eyes are sparkling, one of those rare wide smiles adorning her beautiful features. The dance ends and then the newly wed couple is joined on the dance floor with others. Brenda finishes her drink and then goes over to where Meghan is sitting with a few other women.

"Brenda," the woman greets with a wide smile, throwing her arms around the smaller woman. "I was wondering if you planned on coming over here to say hi." She sways Brenda slightly as she hugs.

Brenda smiles. "Well, I was talkin' to your mama and then your sister started dancin', and you know..." She pulls back and tucks her hair behind her ear.

"Sit with me," says Meghan, waving her hand to the empty seat. Brenda sits down, crossing her legs and Meghan looks her over. "Dressing up for someone?" Meghan smirks that all-too-familiar smirk and leans back in her seat, her tanned legs knocking against Brenda's playfully.

Brenda smiles. "Hush. I just thought I'd look my best."

"And I bet Mom appreciates the gesture," she says as she looks at her mother. "Not to mention," she starts, turning back to Brenda, "I saw that look the other woman gave you. Total jealousy."

Brenda leans forward, her head cradled on her hand as her elbow rests on the table. "Really?"

Meghan rolls her eyes playfully. "Don't try to act modest now. You know you look damn good. That woman is at least ten years your junior and you could still out do her."

"You're too much," Brenda says, laughing softly.

Meghan shrugs, catching one of the servers attention and taking two glasses of champagne. She places one in front of Brenda and brings the other to her lips and then puts the flute down. "I hear MJ told you about the fights they've been having." Brenda nods. "Did she tell you what that gold digging bitch did?"

"Gold diggin'?" Brenda repeats, the term unfamiliar to her, but she thinks she gets the point.

Meghan nods, sipping the champagne again. "Mom asked her to take a check down to Jim for her," she starts.

"The guy who handles her finances and...?"

"Yeah, him. So, Mom didn't really tell us everything. I think she's a little ashamed that this even happened. The check was for one of those charities that give money to underprivileged kids that are interested in dancing. You know how passionate she is about that." Brenda nods, sipping her champagne. "Well, Anastasia looked at the check and told my mother she couldn't give that much to them."

"What?" Brenda asks in disbelief. "Who does that woman think she is tellin' Sharon what she can do with her own money."

"Exactly." Meghan shakes her head. "All the woman does is shop and sit on her lazy ass. I don't think my mother is supporting her habit – God, if I find out she is! – but this woman is starting to try to control my mother. And we both know that something has to be wrong with my mom if she's actually letting her."

"Who y'all dishing?"

Brenda jumps slightly, turning to Morghan. "MJ, congratulations." She gets up, hugging the new bride. "You look so beautiful in your weddin' gown."

"Thanks, dear. Glad you could make it," Morghan says. "Really, who are you guys talking about? I could see Meg's gossip face all the way from the dance floor."

"Sit," Meghan says, getting up and letting her have the seat. She gets another, sitting it beside Brenda's.

"So?"

"Just filling her in on Anastasia."

Morghan sighs exasperatedly. "You have got to do something," she tells the woman who has become like a second mother to her, but more like a best friend. "That woman is destroying our mother."

"I think it's me that's responsible for that. If I had-"

"Not another word about that. It has been a year and it's about time we leave that stuff in the past where it belongs. We all make mistakes every now and then, and you just happen to make them at the worst times."

"How exactly is what you're saying helpful, MJ?" Meghan rolls her eyes, turning to Brenda. "Mom's in love with you, blindly and unconditionally in love with you. We all know it, especially that woman she found to replace you."

"Which, if you ask me, was a horrible thing for Mom to try to do." Morghan slips her heels off, sighing. She makes a mental note to ask Tom to bring her her flats once he comes to find her. "But seriously, Bren, we need to talk game plans."

Brenda smiles, shaking her head in disbelief with both the twins. "Your mother is a grown woman; I think she knows what she wants."

"We all know what she wants. She just doesn't think she can have what she wants. Have you even told her about Fritz? Today was the last meeting with the lawyer, right?"

"Yeah, it's finally over for good." Brenda sighs as she recrosses her legs, her lace pump sliding on and off her foot. "I haven't told her yet, but I'm not even sure if she'd care. I know she misses me. She's told me, but she also told me she's tryin' to move on."

"Trying," Morghan points out. "You should hear how she was going on about you the other day."

"She wouldn't shut up about you," says the other twin, rolling her eyes and smiling.

Brenda turns her head to look at Sharon. After a few seconds Sharon turns as well, most likely being able to feel someone looking at her. Brenda smiles, nodding her head, gesturing for the woman to come over. Sharon shakes her head, but doesn't look away. "She won't even come over here," Brenda says, still looking at Sharon.

Meghan turns, looking at her mother. She waves her hand over, which does get Sharon to come over. "Okay, she's coming. Now what?" Meghan turns back to Brenda.

Brenda turns to Morghan. Morghan sighs. "Don't look at me."

"Really guys? Must I do everything on my own?!" Meghan gets up from the seat, leaving it empty and getting another one, putting it beside her twin and sitting down in it.

Sharon notices the change in her daughter's seat and then looks at the empty one beside Brenda. She looks up at Brenda, who smiles one of those impossibly wide smiles at her. She takes a seat, crossing her legs towards Brenda, her foot almost touching Brenda's. She looks up at her daughters, who are both smiling at them. Sharon arches an eyebrow, already seeing them working up some plan together without saying a single word. Sharon sighs, already seeing where this is going. Her daughters have been trying to get her to talk to Brenda for the longest. They made it very clear that they didn't like her current girlfriend and that they thought she should work things out with Brenda. Even after a year they thought there was hope, but honestly she knows there is.

"Okay, you have me here, which was obviously important to all of you. What exactly do you three want me for?"

"We need to talk," Meghan says.

"Talk?" Sharon asks with a perfect eyebrow arched as she eyes both her daughters and then the blonde beside her.

"Yes. We need to talk about you and Brenda," Morghan clarifies.

"This is your wedding day," she says to Morghan. "I think you should just enjoy the day and let me worry about my relationships on my own," Sharon says and then tries to get up, but Brenda puts her hand on her thigh. Sharon, not wanting to move away from Brenda's warm hand, stays where she is.

"Mom, we can't say enough times what we think, and you already know, but there's more to this than that. Brenda," she turns to Brenda.

Brenda looks up at Morghan, who gives her a hand gesture, telling her to go on. Brenda turns to Sharon. "Sharon," she starts and then looks away. She can't do this. She's always letting these two try to convince her into doing something, but she can't, well not like this. "You want to dance?" Brenda blurts out.

"Uh." Sharon looks over to Anastasia, who she had just been arguing with. "Okay," Sharon says after a long pause, figuring that it would be nice to be around someone who wasn't constantly trying to pick a fight.

The twins share a quick look, smiling at each other and then at their mom and Brenda. Brenda gets up, taking Sharon's hand and they go to the dance floor. Meghan gets up. "I'm going to make sure the photographer gets pictures of this," she tells her sister.

"And go get the band to play..."

"I know already. I'm the one that had to remind you to make sure they had that song ready," Meghan says to her sister, rolling her eyes.

"And tell Tom to bring me my shoes," she calls after her sister, who nods, making her way to the band.

The sun is starting to set behind the trees, the warm colors filling the sky. Sharon and Brenda are dancing together, neither of them saying anything yet. Brenda can smell that sandalwood scent on Sharon that never fails to make her head swim a little. Brenda smells like honeysuckle, a smell that Sharon has missed a lot. They keep a reasonable amount of space between them, Brenda not wanting to pass any boundaries she's sure the woman wants to have in their relationship. Soon the song changes, changes to a song they both know far too well.

Brenda lets out a shaky breath, hearing the song, feeling it bring back so many memories. "This was our song," Brenda says softly.

"You're telling me like I need a reminder," Sharon responds. Feet Don't Touch The Ground is played at least one time before she goes to bed each night. Sharon pulls Brenda closer to her, her hands moving from her hips, her arms wrapping around Brenda's lithe body, and her hands on the small of her back.

Brenda sighs when she feels Sharon's body against her fully. She rests her chin against Sharon's shoulder, her head tilted towards her neck, her breath falling against Sharon, and her nose trying to remember the scent of her hair. "I miss this," Brenda whispers, her eyes closing. Sharon simply hums her response, slowly dancing with her. "Bein' in your arms always makes me feel like I'm the only person that matters to you."

You are, Sharon thinks. Sharon closes her eyes, letting out a cleansing breath. One of Brenda's fingers is tracing circles over her shoulder blade. She knows she should stop her because she knows Brenda's doing it on purpose, but for a moment she wants to forget the rest of the world and what happened, and just feel Brenda again.

"Sharon are you happy?" Brenda asks softly.

"Yes," she answers too quickly.

Brenda tries to pull back, but Sharon holds her to her tighter. "Honestly?"

"Honey, you were always able to read me better than anyone else. Do you think I'm happy?"

"No," she answers. "I think you're happy at the moment, though. I think you're happy here with me."

"For the moment," she responds.

"You deserve to always be happy," she whispers.

Sharon opens her eyes, looking over to Anastasia, who looks red in the face. Sharon can't bring herself to really care. "I'm working on that," she responds after a pause.

"With Anastasia?" She can feel Sharon nod and hum her response. "She's not what's going to make you happy. You're lookin' for your happiness in the wrong place."

"I guess you're going to tell me that I should be looking for it with you," Sharon says, closing her eyes again, blocking out the view of the rest of the world.

"No," she responds simply.

"No?"

"No, look for your happiness in your heart. Follow what your heart wants, whether it's me or not."

"You already know it's you, though," Sharon breathes.

"Then what's stopping you?"

"I made a commitment to Ana," she tells her. "You also left me to be with someone else. Either you don't follow your own advice, or I'm not the key to your happiness. Whichever it might be, it wouldn't be a good decision to leave a relationship that has some type of hope to be with someone who doesn't return the same feelings I have for them. And, what about your husband?"

Brenda sighs. "We're finally divorced," she tells her, knowing that at another time they'll have to talk about that. "And don't you ever think I don't feel the same way as you because I do. I love you more than I've ever loved anyone else, and you know it's true. You might not want to believe me, but I love you, Sharon."

"I know you do," she says, barely audible.

Brenda can feel Sharon's heart racing against hers and she pulls her closer to her. "I always will," Brenda whispers, pressing her lips to Sharon's shoulder quickly.

Sharon melts against Brenda. How long had it been since she felt those lips against her skin? She can't even remember. Brenda does it again and Sharon feels a rush of heat move through her body, a pleasant ache racking through her entire being. "Brenda," she breathes quickly.

Brenda can feel the way Sharon's body heats against her, her hands subconsciously pulling Brenda close, and Brenda can feel her heart picking up its rate again. The blonde smiles, knowing she still has the same effect on her body, perhaps she's even more responsive now. She slides her lips against her skin one last time, not caring who sees, but the one person she does want to see is on the wrong side of her body so she can't. Sharon lets out a sound somewhere between a moan and a whimper, and Brenda can't help it when she presses a kiss to her neck, her lips having a mind of their own, responding to the desire she's been feeling for so long.

Sharon's finding it hard to breathe. She can't pull away from Brenda, not now. She's dreamt of Brenda's lips on her skin, feeling them one last time, and somewhere in the back of her mind she's telling herself that it justifies this. If it's the last time, which it is, then she's allowed to savor the moment. She knows that she's going to have to pull away soon, though. The song's almost over, she knows Anastasia is probably pissed with her for dancing with the woman who's causing problems in their relationship, and she's sure that soon her legs are going to be too weak to stand.

Brenda rests her head on Sharon's shoulder, breathing against her now-wet skin. She can feel her shivering slightly. "Are you cold?"

"No," Sharon answers in a husky breath.

"You're shiverin'," Brenda tells her.

"I know," Sharon says simply. Brenda kisses her neck again. "Please stop," she whispers, the words coming out like a moan.

Brenda smirks, pushing her hips harder against Sharon's. "You're turned on," she states.

Sharon doesn't respond at first, just dancing to the new song that's playing. She slides her hands up Brenda's back, feeling delicate lace under her fingers. "It's been a long time," she finally says.

"Since?" Brenda asks, not wanting to misunderstand what Sharon's saying.

Sharon turns her head into Brenda, so only she can hear what she's saying. "Since you've touched me, for starters … Since I've had sex," she admits in a whisper. She can feel Brenda's breath come a little quicker. "Since I've been so painfully aroused," she husks.

"What about with Anastasia?" Brenda finally asks softly.

Sharon lets out a sad breath. "We haven't had sex in almost a month," she admits easily.

Brenda laughs, not a comical laugh, but a nervous one. She knows Sharon. Sharon's sexual appetite is ridiculously high for any woman of any age. "A month?" Brenda kisses against her skin again. "How does Sharon Raydor go a month without sex? She must be an idiot to even let you go that long without sex. I can barely keep my hands off you now, and she gets to sleep in your bed, and be around you in private, and she doesn't at least try."

"Brenda," Sharon whispers softly. Brenda hums her response. "I don't think I can do this anymore."

"Dance with me?"

"No, no, not this. I can't-"

Brenda pulls away a little from Sharon, urging the woman to look at her. She can see the sadness in Sharon's green eyes and it nearly kills her. "What can't you do?" Brenda asks in a soft voice.

"I can't keep pretending with Anastasia. The girls are right about her. She's not the right person for me. But you're the only person that's ever felt right." The last part comes out in one tired breath.

Brenda smiles, bringing her hand to Sharon's face, not caring what Anastasia thinks. "I love you, Sharon. I'm always going to love you. When you can trust me again, then I'm right here waitin' for you," she whispers. "You just have to trust me and trust your heart, baby."

Sharon nods, clearing her throat, pushing away all the emotions she feels rising to the top. "For now I just want you to hold me for a little bit longer," Sharon tells her softly.

"For as long as you want," Brenda whispers, pulling Sharon back, this time her arms tighter around her. Brenda sighs, feeling Sharon melt against her.

"There's still hope," Sharon whispers into her ear.

"I know," Brenda responds because she knows there is always going to be hope. "I'm never going to stop fightin' for your love. And, like I said, I'm right here when you're ready."

"There's still hope," she repeats, this time more to herself. She presses her lips to Brenda's ear, kissing there quickly.

TBC