Sorry guys, I know I said that it would be up the following day and then it took me a week, lol. Finals are killing my right now, just a few more days and then I'll be done.

I know some of you were looking forward to this chapter and their 'talk'…lets hope you'll still be thrilled after you read the direction I took them in… A little shorter than normal, but I felt it was appropriate to end it here…

As always reviews = love! It helps me improve my writing hearing the love from you guys or even polite criticism ;)

Sharon watched as Brenda pulled her sweater tighter around her body, trying in vain to ward off the cold. The little puffs of air from the blonde's nose could be seen in the crisp atmosphere, hurried and anxious.

Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to talk out here after all…

What was more disturbing was the fact that Brenda refused to make eye contact with the older woman. It seemed that she was looking anywhere, even the wall above Sharon's shoulder, but the brunette's face in question. She didn't know quite what to make of it, Brenda was radiating an aura that screamed she needed reassurance, but from her body language Sharon wasn't sure if a comforting touch would be welcome. She decided it might be best for her to start the conversation, get a feel for where Brenda's head was at and then she would proceed from there.

Sharon cleared her throat, "You've been quite reserved all evening."

It was a statement, not a question and it was designed to draw a reaction. She knew Brenda knew the tactic very well; she had employed it many times over the years on countless suspects. The look she gave Sharon was one just short of contempt…maybe closer to annoyance, she knew what the Captain was doing and she knew it well. Sharon cringed inwardly.

"Don't treat me like one of your suspects," the blonde bit out, "If you have a question, just ask it already."

Sharon tilted her head to the side in confusion. She knew her last comment would get a rise out of the younger woman, but she wondered where the surliness had come from. She had been on the receiving end of Brenda's temper more than once, in fact at the beginning it was all she saw. Although as she came to know the other woman better she was shown so much more, all the sweet and terrifying emotions the blonde bottled up inside of her. But this…she hadn't seen this in quite some time.

"That wasn't my intention Brenda Leigh…" but she was cut off.

"Well then what was it?" Brenda barked, "You know I don't like bein' treated like that, I don't appreciate it."

"Well, I wouldn't have to ask if you had talked to me today," Sharon shot back.

"I did talk to you," the blonde insisted.

Sharon shook her head, "No, you were here but not really here...you were so distracted all day."

"That's ridiculous," Brenda scoffed, "I helped make cookies and had dinner…even traded stories with the kids…"

The brunette sighed in frustration…this was going nowhere fast. She wanted Brenda to open up, talk to her about what she was feeling. Sure the two women talked, but about inconsequential things…everyday things. Sharon knew her friend was hurting; she had compartmentalized all of her grief and sorrow into one neat package and then shoved it into the back of her closet. Sometimes she felt as if Brenda was a million miles away and she was stuck trying to keep up.

"You know I just …" she trailed off suddenly.

Brenda didn't miss a beat, "What?"

Now it was Sharon's turn to be studied and judging from the way she shrunk back from the blonde's words, Brenda wasn't going to like what she had to say. Her arms were crossed over her chest and she seemed to be sizing up the younger woman, weighing whether what she wanted to say was worth the hassle and maybe even the fight in the end.

"Spit it out, Captain," the use of her rank snapped Sharon back to the present.

It wasn't necessarily the word itself, but the tone Brenda had used that ruffled Sharon's feathers. It had been her way of engaging Sharon when they had first met back when she had been investigating Major Crimes. It seemed the other woman was in the mood for a knock down, drag out fight…she wouldn't be disappointed.

The Captain's voice was cold as she spoke, every syllable controlled and clipped.

"If you didn't want to be here Brenda," she ignored the hurt look on the other woman's face, "I wish you would have said so."

It was as if the blonde had been slapped. Sure she had contemplated canceling because she hadn't felt she would be the best company tonight, but she had gone. She'd gone for Sharon because she didn't want to disappoint her, didn't want to hear the sadness in her voice as she made some poor excuse not to attend. She had come into the situation reluctant and apprehensive but she had persevered, maybe enjoy herself over all.

Brenda looked down at her boots, her fingers playing with the edge of her sweater, absentmindedly plucking at a loose thread. She didn't want to fight with Sharon and she certainly didn't wish to stay any longer, but she couldn't help herself it seemed.

"Why did you invite me Sharon?" she intoned quietly.

The brunette's posture was still rigid, her eyes hard and her mouth firm. She wasn't taking the bait…she wouldn't give Brenda the satisfaction.

"Hmmm?" the blonde prompted, "Some misguided sense of obligation maybe?"

At that Sharon's eyes went wide, it seemed to all be clicking into place in her mind, unfortunately it was to late to stop the tirade from Brenda's mouth.

She pushed away from the railing, "Poor Brenda, all alone on Christmas Eve." her voice was taunting.

Sharon moved forward as well, "You know damn well that was not my intention..."

"Wasn't it?" the blonde questioned, "Wasn't that the first thing that popped into your head?"

Sharon visibly backed up and sputtered helplessly. The blonde didn't give the older woman a chance to respond, her time to talk was now over.

"You see Captain," emphasis on the title, "I've been on the receivin' end of this situation more than once."

Her control on her temper was long gone and the more upset she got, the thicker Brenda's accent sounded. How dare Sharon try to make her out to be the bad guy and she the victim, the inconvenienced.

How dare she!

"Its not a nice feelin' to be invited out of pity." Brenda's voice shook on the last word.

The brunette was looking at her now, but she wasn't sure how to name the emotions she saw flowing across Sharon's face. She felt a sense of triumph and relief knowing she had caused any kind of reaction from the indomitable Sharon Raydor. That the brunette was now the one who felt misplaced and anxious, just a taste of what Brenda had felt practically all evening.

All of a sudden the anger and resentment the younger woman had felt, all the heat coursing through her body, gave way. She didn't want to fight or say things she'd later regret. All she wanted to do was drive home and crawl under the covers; maybe sleep until New Year's. Her chest was beginning to ache with the effort of holding back her tears and her head was beginning to swim.

"No one should be alone on Christmas," Brenda repeated.

Sharon started toward her, "Brenda..."

The younger woman held up her hand in the gesture to stop, she didn't want to her it, not another word. She could feel the sting of tears at the corners of her eyes and cursed her body for betraying her. She needed to say her peace and leave; she couldn't imagine breaking down in front of Sharon, let alone her children.

"I don't know if it was just your pity that made you invite me or if I was truly wanted here tonight," she paused, "and to be completely honest I'm not sure if I want to know."

Brenda cleared her throat, desperately trying to dislodge the growing lump that was there, hoping against everything that she would be able to keep it together.

"However, I do know that I'm going to leave before I say anythin' I'd regret."

With that Brenda tried to slip past Sharon and towards the sliding glass door, but the older woman reached out to grasp her sleeve gently. The blonde's head whipped to the side and the look the older woman received was clearly understood. The younger woman's eyes were cold and distant, but when she locked eyes with Sharon anger and resentment could clearly be seen…maybe even a shadow of disappointment.

"Let go of me," Brenda hissed through clenched teeth.

For the first time in a long time Sharon did as she was ordered and her hand released the blonde. It was as if she had been burned…and perhaps she had been.

"Brenda, please," Sharon tried again.

The pleading fell on deaf ears as Brenda silently slipped through the doors to the living room. Sharon watched with a heavy heart as the blonde once again reclaimed her bag and went through the round of goodbyes. Her features were schooled well enough but Sharon could see through the mask; the smile she wore was more of a grimace, the tears just barely kept at bay.

She watched as Rusty gingerly rose form the couch and walked Brenda towards the door, a look of utter confusion crossing his face. He looked briefly to the balcony, connecting eyes with Sharon only long enough for him to she her slight headshake.

Do not ask, it said, now is neither the time nor the place.

A slight question in his eyes, he turned back to Brenda who had already opened the door and slipped through. Sharon couldn't hear the goodbye, but she could feel the reverberation of the door shutting. She let her head fall and smack against the concrete of the wall.