DISCLAIMER: I do not own these characters.

Six

Brenda leaned back against the wooden chair, wrapped in the warmest blanket she could find, and watched the sun rise on the patio above Lila's rose garden. She was glad no one was awake yet. She enjoyed the silence. It gave her time to think about her own thoughts, figure out her own feelings.

"What are you doing out here? It's freezing." Ned asked walking out, wrapping his arms tightly around his body.

"Watching the sun rise," she commented nonchalantly.

"You can see it rise inside where it's warm."

"But it's not the same when you can't feel the warmth as the rays caress your body with every inch it rises." She lifted a coffee mug to her lips and sipped. "It's like drinking a cup of coffee when you're freezing. You can feel the heat soak into your blood and your body just has this overwhelming warmth. Even if only for a second. Sunrises in the winter feel the same way."

He eyed her curiously before sitting down on the arm of the chair and despite the cold, watched silently with her as the sun appeared on the horizon. She wasn't kidding. For a brief few seconds he felt the warmth cover his body before the sun was revealed completely and the heat died.

"Did you feel it?" she asked.

"Yeah, I felt it," he said. "Now let's go back inside," he said grabbing her hand and pulling her out of the chair. "Grandfather will get very upset if you get sick."

"I'll be fine," she said as they walked back inside.

"What are your plans for the day?" Ned asked her sitting down on the couch. She shrugged. "Really? The one and only Brenda Barrett has no plans for a whole day. No shopping?"

"It seems so insignificant right now," she commented sitting down in the chair next to Ned. "It's strange not having anything to do, but nothing sounds even remotely worth attempting."

"We can go out to lunch. Ice skating?" he suggested.

"I wish the studio was still here. I wish there was a record or a concert I could be focusing on right now."

"Somewhere there is. All you have to do is call Lois." Brenda didn't say anything as she drank her coffee. Finally she looked up at Ned.

"Do you want to go for a run?" she asked.

"In the cold?"

"Yes. It will awaken your senses."

"It doesn't sound like something fun to do."

"It's not about fun. It's about taking your mind off of certain things. You can't feel sorry for yourself when you're freezing," she said standing up. "Last one changed has to buy breakfast," she said sprinting off before Ned even had a chance to think.

Of course she was downstairs jogging in place on the landing when he came down pulling on a jacket.

"This is crazy, you know," he commented.

"It's good to impulsive sometimes."

"It's never sometimes with you," he said as she pulled on a black beanie.

"Why change now?" she asked as she opened the front door and they started in a light jog down the driveway and out to the street.

Ned was actually thankful once they got started running. They joked like they did ten years ago. No time was missed. She was laughing so hard she could barely stand up and catch her breath as they reached Kelly's.

"Are you hungry?" he asked opening the door for her as she unzipped her jacket.

"Surprisingly yes," she said with a smile as they sat down at a table. Memories started flooding back. Things she hadn't thought of in a long time.

"You okay?" he asked.

She nodded. "Just thinking. It feels like forever since I lived here. It's amazing how much things change. Kelly's is a totally different place from when we used to spend time here. I probably spent half my youth in this place."

"And how easily you loose touch with people," he commented.

"Hi guys," Georgie said walking up to their table. "What can I get for you?"

"Two coffees and bagels with cream cheese," Ned said. He still knew he too well.

"Ordering for me?" she asked with a smile.

"You can never make up your mind anyways."

Brenda thanked Georgie when she brought them coffee and took a sip, closing her eyes as the warm fluid filled her veins.

When she opened her eyes Sam and Lucky were walking into the coffee shop. Brenda smiled at Lucky, who smiled back and walked over.

"Hey," he said hugging her. "I didn't know you were in town."

"Drove in yesterday. Lois called. I'm really sorry Lucky. I know you and Emily were really close."

"Thanks," he said squeezing her hand. "This is Sam McCall. Sam this is Brenda Barrett. And you remember Ned," he said.

She nodded but chose to remain silent. Brenda eyed her curiously but did the same before Lucky excused them to their own table.

"Is that the first time you've met Sam?" he asked her. She nodded. "I don't think she's as bad a people make her out to be. She reminds me a lot of you when you first moved to town."

"I am nothing like that girl," Brenda whispered.

Brenda glanced over at them before taking another drink of her coffee.

"You know what Kelly's reminds me of," she said after a minute.

"What?" he asked.

"Stone." They smiled together. "His laundry list of things to do before he died. We made the biggest ice cream sundae on that counter. Jason's birthday party was here. Stilts. Bungee jumping."

"The only thing not accomplished was getting you and Sonny back together," Ned pointed out.

"I think Stone finally figured out that we needed to stay apart. I haven't talked to him in so long. I used to ask for his help all the time. I think I stopped believing he had some pull when Sonny left me at the altar. That was one of the last times I ever reached out to him. I told him his wish came true."

"Stone was wise beyond his years," Ned said.

"I wish he could tell me what to do now." Brenda ran her fingers through her hair and sighed. "When I was in Paris, Robin and I used to look through his book. All the great stories and letters people wrote to him. Do you remember that party?" she asked with a smile.

"How could I forget the party? It was the norm back then. You go out in public and Sonny picks a fight."

"Lois and Miguel were so upset when they found out," Brenda laughed.

"How is Miguel?" Ned asked.

"I have no idea."

"What do you mean you have no idea?" he asked. "Didn't you just see him in Switzerland?"

"I don't want to talk about Miguel. Sorry I brought it." She sat back in the chair as he raised his hands in defeat.

"I'm sorry I asked."

"Can we call the car to pick us up? I don't feel like running anymore."

"Tough. This was your idea. Just because you're in a bad mood now, doesn't mean you get off easy. Finish eating."

Brenda rolled her eyes before quickly eating the bagel. She gave Lucky a little wave as they zipped up their coats and put on their beanies and left Kelly's. The run back to the house was silent. Brenda was up the stairs and in the shower faster than ever.