Sharon Raydor had been on leave for weeks, nearly two months when the Chief of Police had retired and Delk had taken his place. She'd come back just in time for Delk to request an audit of Major Crimes in the wake of the "Shootin' Newton" lawsuit. She'd brought with her the infamous Gavin Baker who had legally blocked the military's attempt of listing her husband as deceased. And boy was he smart.

But, Brenda had thought time at home with her husband might soften Sharon Raydor. She was terribly wrong. She was straight to the point as always, refused in taking crap from anyone and had no problem putting a superior officer in their place; as respectfully as possible of course. Brenda was grateful for her return though. Because Sharon Raydor was on her side and damn did that carry some weight.

The were discussing their current case, with Sharon throwing in her opinion (not asked for but completely helpful) when Sanchez stood up. "Sir," he greeted with a stiff nod.

"Sorry to interrupt," Jackson Raydor offered as he moved further into the Murder Room. "That kid of yours said you were up here."

"By that kid," Sharon offered with no smile and a raised brow. "Do you mean Sergeant Elliot?"

"When did they start making 12 year olds Sergeants?!"

"I was younger than he was when I made Sergeant, and that's not what you said to me about it," she offered before she moved closer to the murder board, squinting at a picture of the latest crime scene.

"No," Jackson smirked, clearly thinking inappropriate thoughts. "Not what I said at all."

Sharon only hummed as she pulled the picture off the board and looked over the rim of her glasses at it. She grabbed the pictures of the other two crime scenes before she moved over to Mike's desk. "Lieutenant, wasn't this," she asked as she pointed at one of the pictures, "reported missing from the previous scene?" She pointed at another picture and Mike grabbed a magnifying glass.

"My God," Mike mumbled. "Captain," he began as he looked up at her. "You just solved the case!"

"Excuse me," Brenda couldn't help but question.

Mike started explaining while Sharon moved away from the group and joined Jackson. Brenda listened enough to get the gist, and to know what to say to get the confession out of their supposed witness, but she was much more interested in Sharon and Jackson Raydor. They didn't kiss or hug but, Jackson placed a hand gently on her upper arm and Sharon hummed quietly as she just barely smiled. It wasn't even a smile really, her lips didn't curve in any distinguishable fashion but they softened. As did her eyes, while they enjoyed the silence between them.

As much as she had wanted to think of Sharon Raydor as 'that woman' when she heard about the audit she had found she couldn't. Because the minute she saw Sharon she pictured her in the ballroom with Jackson kissing her on the forehead. And now they were together again right in front of her. Most people might not notice the very subtle changes in Sharon's demeanor at her husband's presence. But Brenda wasn't most people and she had CIA training.

She would forever see the woman in front of her as Sharon Raydor. Because now she could see the light in the woman's eyes. That bright happy light that had always been present because the woman had kids and family and a gawd-awful job she apparently loved; but, it hadn't always been something that Brenda could see before. Because she realized that until now Sharon Raydor had more reason than most to remain guarded about her private life – that much pain and uncertainty had left Sharon Raydor less than …

Watching her with her husband, professional and completely aware of her surroundings but happy regardless, left Brenda feeling just a bit happy for Sharon (who she would never be able to think of as just that woman again).