Chapter 7

…...

Brenda stopped off at the nearest bar she could find and treated herself to her favourite wine before heading home, walking through the door just after 9pm, she found Fritz sitting at the kitchen table, a beer in his hand.

"Fritzy, I thought you'd still be at work."

"At work, you really are unbelievable…you know that."

"Fritzy, what are you…."

"Our Anniversary Brenda…remember that. A romantic meal tonight at our favourite restaurant…I should have known you wouldn't show up. I sat there for 2 hours like an idiot. I was tempted to call you and remind you but I thought, you know to hell with her. To hell with her because she should at least remember the day we made a lifetime commitment to one another, the day we told each other how much we loved each other and that no matter what happened, nothing could tear us apart."

"Sweetheart I…."

"I don't want you god damn excuses Brenda."

Brenda moved forward, attempting to bring her arms around his neck, only to have them pushed away. He got up from his seat and began pacing back and forth in an attempt to control his anger.

"Look I'm sorry I forgot about dinner alright, but I had to drive Captain Raydor home."

"Don't you dare, don't you dare use Raydor as an excuse for standing up your Husband on your anniversary."

"I don't know what you want me to say."

"I want to know what the hell is going on with you, you're distant, moody, I mean we haven't had sex in months. It's like you can't stand to be around me anymore."

"That's not…."

"Are you seeing someone else?"

"What?"

"You heard me, are you seeing someone else…Brenda."

"I…."

"ANSWER ME."

Brenda could feel the tears falling from her eyes as she tried to look at Fritz, the guilt was so clear on her face that she didn't need to answer him to tell him what he knew deep down he already knew.

"Jesus, there is someone else."

"Am so sorry."

"You're sorry, you think an apology will fix everything."

"Of course not but I…."

"Who, who is he."

"Please don't do this, it's not important."

"Is is Pope?"

"No, that was over years ago, you know that."

"Then who is it Brenda?"

"Please listen to me, I made a mistake…I was drunk, I…"

"I suppose it didn't mean anything either."

"You're a good man and am so sorry that I've hurt you, I didn't mean for it to happen."

"Yeah, you were just drunk. It's always the alcohols fault, never the person who should be able to control it. I want to know who he is Brenda…I have a right to know."

"I can't tell you, am sorry."

"No your not, jesus I can't believe this is happening."

He stormed out of the room, only to return a few moments later with luggage in tow.

"Oh come on, you can't just walk out…we need to talk about this."

"No Brenda we don't, I've done all the talking I'm going to do. If you can't even tell me who this jerk is then there's no point in continuing." He headed to the door, giving her one last look before he left. "Happy Anniversary, not that it ever really mattered to you."

…

Sharon and Jacob were seated by the fireplace in his favourite Italian Restaurant, they'd both ordered the salmon and were enjoying the romantic feel of the room as they shared a bottle of champagne. He brought his chair a little closer to her as he placed his hand over hers. Sharon looked up at him to see his blue eyes sparkle from the flames of the fire.

"Are you having a nice time tonight Sharon?"

"I'm having a wonderful time; you went to a lot of trouble for tonight, champagne, roses…the fire place." She smiled.

"The owners a good friend, I saved his leg when he was involved in a car accident a few years ago."

"You saved his leg, that's incredible."

"It's just my job."

"It's not just a job, you save peoples lives…it's an awarding job."

"So is yours, I'm not the only one who saves lives."

"I think yours is a little more dangerous than mine, you get shot at."

"It can be dangerous but I wouldn't change it for the world."

"Have you always worked in Major Crimes?"

"I've only been at Major Crimes for 6 months, before that I was in F.I.D."

"What's that?"

"Force Investigation Department…I investigated Officer involved shootings, complaints against Police Officers. I was basically working against my fellow officers; I wasn't the most popular person at work."

"Then why do it?"

"Someone has too and at the time, I had two young children, I was separated from my Husband…the money was good, the hours were perfect and I stayed."

"Why did you leave, move to Major Crimes."

"The position came up at the right time, they were an officer down and after my investigation in to Major Crimes, well it was tough…Brenda and the Team, they hated me but I had a job to do…I was in and out of that department over the course of 3 years, the last investigation…well I can't discuss it but Brenda's career was hanging on by a thread…I was determined to take her down, we'd never got along but the more digging I did, I realized she was innocent and I set out to prove it…and I did. That last year, I think I managed to heal a lot of broken bridges and not just with Brenda…but the Team as well."

"So they like you now?"

"We've healed."

"I don't think your Boss likes me very much."

"Brenda can be…protective of her colleagues."

"It wasn't protectiveness I was getting from her…I'd say jealous."

"Did you just bring me here to talk to me about Brenda all evening or what."

"Sorry, I just really like you Sharon and I don't want to get in the middle of anything, step on anyone's toes."

Sharon leaned in closer to Jacob and pressed her lips to his.

"I like you too Jacob, I can't tell you that things will be okay with us but for now...can't we just enjoy our time we spend together and see where it takes us."

"Sure, I'd rather have a bit of you than nothing at all. Would you like dessert?"

"How about we forget dessert and go back to mine."

"Really, on the first date."

"Let's see what happens."

…

Andy was walking past the Tavern Bar, is takeout in his hand when he saw the lone figure sitting at the bar. He had to look twice when he finally realized who it was. He went inside and came to stand at he side of the man.

"Agent Howard…"

"Lieutenant…my old friend, how are you doing."

"I'm doing good buddy, better than you it would seem. Are you okay?"

"Can't a guy enjoy a quiet drink or two on his own."

"Hey, more than two by the look of it."

"Pal, you know this guy?" The bartender asked, looking at Andy.

"Yeah, he's a friend."

"You might wanna get him home, I've already cut him off."

"I'm not going anywhere, I got nowhere to be."

"Does the Chief know where you are?"

"Don't even mention that woman's name."

"What happened?"

"She's been cheating on me, did you know that…she…"

Fritz went to stand when he stumbled, Andy catching him before he passed out.

"Okay buddy, you're staying at mine tonight. Do I owe you anything?" Andy asked the bartender.

"Nah, he's paid up."

"Cheers, have a good night."

"Yeah, you too."

…...

Sharon unlocked the door to her Condo, Jacob walking in just behind her. He waited for her to lock the door before turning her around in his arms and drawing her in for a kiss. She brought her arms up around his neck as he pushed her back, feeling the wall connect with her back. He kissed his way down the side of her neck as she moved her head to allow him better access. He looked up at her to see her smiling at him, before he lifted her up, her legs clutching at his waist as he carefully lifted her dress up that little bit higher.

"Jacob…."

"Just say the word Sharon and I'll stop." He said, kissing her again.

"Never stop, never…"

He quickly set to work on removing her underwear, kissing his way down her body as she pulled him closer. She let out a small gasp when she felt him enter her slowly, he looked up to see her eyes widen.

"Am I hurting you, just say the word."

"Mmmm, no…kiss me."

He started kissing her again as she moaned into his mouth, her moans getting louder with each thrust of his hips…he wanted to take things slow with her but just being with this woman, this amazing woman…he knew he couldn't last much longer.

"Sharon I don't think I…."

"I know, me either…don't stop….we...aaah, oh god."

Seconds later they came as one, Sharon prayed to god that her neighbours hadn't heard them. The only sound to be heard was the soft ticking of the clock as they sat up against the wall, Sharon's head on his shoulder as he placed a soft kiss to her head.

"That was…amazing." He smiled.

"It really was, thank you…for tonight."

"I think I'm the one who should be thanking you. You're an incredible woman Sharon Raydor."

She looked up at him as his lips quickly covered hers in a passionate kiss.

"Ready again so soon?" She smiled.

"You do crazy things to me."

"As pleased as I am that I have such an effect on you, I'm getting to old for sex in the hallway. Come on, the bedrooms just up here." She smiled, getting up and taking hold of his hand, before making their way down the hallway.

…

To Be Continued…