I have no idea where this story is going. I know I preface all of my stories with that but it's true. Right now the chapters are shorter because I want to get more into the story.

This story starts 3 years after the current season. In my story, BLJ does not leave Major Crimes. In my story, the show goes on as it has been. There will probably be a lot of flashback. I'm not going to reference too many of the actual Closer story lines because I don't want to get too deep but we'll see.

please let me know what is working and what isn't..it's all much appreciated. Thanks! -T

Oh and I own nothing but this story idea.


The blonde pulled open the left desk drawer with a sigh. Inside it was completely empty except for one lone foil wrapped treat. She lifted the familiar item out and held it confidently in her hand. The weight, the texture, the coolness of the foil…she knew it all by heart. Setting the chocolate treat down on the desk, she picked up a dark red cased pen and clicked the end.

The sound of the click drug her mind back to the hundreds of times her formidable colleague stood in this very room and clicked her pen before taking a bounty of notes as she always did. Closing her eyes, she could see the tall brunette standing over in the corner with her pad of paper on her arm. The dark framed glasses sliding slowly down the bridge of her nose. The green eyes behind them pleading for cooperation knowing full well she was more than likely not going to get it.

Brenda Leigh slowly opened her eyes and sighed. Looking through the open window blinds she watched her team and the brunette go about their daily business. Sharon Raydor blew into her murder room 6 years ago like a hurricane. Her approach cool and calm but her delivery full of fire. They hadn't necessarily become friends so to speak but neither of them were really the friendly type. But deep down, Brenda had to admit to herself that it was nice, occasionally, to have another woman amongst them. And after the Stroh case, Brenda started to rely on Sharon as someone she could confide in which she did regularly but it was just between them. So perhaps they were friends?

She watched as Provenza mapped out a timeline on the white board just as he did any other time. They were getting ready to take down a suspect.

Resting the tip of the ballpoint on the line drawn on the single sheet of paper, Brenda Leigh pulled her bottom lip with the tip of her teeth. It took two seconds to sign her name. Two seconds and it was all over. Done. She clicked the pen closed and laid it on her desk.

Picking up the foil wrapped treat she felt it between her fingers. Her red manicured nail scratching lightly over the thin foil. With two swipes and a pull, the wrapper was off and the delicious chocolate and cream filled treat was naked in her hand. The delicate chocolate melting slightly under the heat of her fingertips. But she didn't care. She only thought of the feel of the soft cake practically melting on her tongue. Taking a bite she savored the rich cocoa. Her tongue sliding across her lips slowly, capturing any loose crumbs. Sitting back in her chair she consumed the rest of the treat. And when it was gone she sighed heavily. This was it. That was the last one.

Just before she could pick up her purse and the signed piece of paper, her cell phone beeped one time. Normally, under these circumstances, she would have ignored it until she was out of the building but her crew was still outside and she didn't want to have to look at them. It was better this way.

Jamming on her glasses she looked at the message on the cell phone screen. She stared at it for a long time. Too long.

2030 tonight.

That's all it said but it was loaded.

Brenda swallowed and erased the message from her phone. Her chest was heaving from her elevated heartbeat and labored breathing. Out of the corner of her eye she saw them pick up their things and leave. Captain Raydor turned and pointedly looked at Brenda standing behind her desk. Their eyes locked for a split second and something passed between them as fast as a gnat flaps its wings. Finally, the murder room was empty.

Throwing the phone in her enormous black purse she pulled the straps over her shoulder and walked out her office door with purpose. She stopped abruptly and turned back for one last look. A tear welled in her eye but she willed it away as quickly as it had developed.

With paper in hand she stopped at Will Pope's office. She didn't knock. There was no formality between them. Not anymore.

"My letter of resignation." She slid the paper across his desk. He sat back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. He regarded her for a long time. Will Pope and Brenda Leigh Johnson knew each other for a very long time. They knew more about each other than anyone else in the LAPD. So it was a complete shock to him when she told him a month ago that she was resigning. She'd made him promise not to tell anyone else. He understood she had to do this her way.

Brenda Leigh Johnson did everything her way.