Had to throw a Sharon chapter in real quick.

Monkeytoez17 – I almost waited to send her but thought I better do it sooner rather than later. But be careful what you wish for. :)

Rococoms – I don't want this story to end any time soon so it's getting drawn out little by little. Hopefully it'll pick up in the next few chapters.

Thank you for all of the comments and reviews. They push me to make this story better.

Lieutenant Provenza straightened his elf tie as he leaned back in his desk chair. The murder room was bustling early for the day before Christmas. He just wanted to get done and go home…not that he had anything to do really. He rolled his eyes and grumbled audibly when Captain Sharon Raydor purposefully marched into the room.

Her light grey blazer covered a deep green silk blouse. Once she took control of Major Crimes Division she tried to lighten her appearance so maybe she wouldn't appear so unapproachable. But when it was necessary, the black power suits went back on.

She crossed her arms over her chest and looked at the white board intently. They had a major case to solve and they needed it solved in a hurry.

"Tao, call Judge Bishop's office and get a court order. Flynn and Provenza will wait here until you have it." She ordered.

"That's not how we do it, Captain." Provenza practically spit the "Captain" part out.

It had been almost a year but they still didn't give her any credit. She put her hands on her hips and glared at the elder Lieutenant. "This is my show now, Lieutenant." She turned to enter her office…Brenda's office. "By the book." She reminded them before closing the door.

Sharon knew they were out there calling her every bad name they could think of. Normally it didn't bother her and she never let it show when it did. But today was different. Her body was overwrought with emotions. It had been months since she had gotten a good night's sleep. And even though she had vowed a long time ago to rid her mind of everything pertaining to Brenda Leigh Johnson…her heart didn't listen.

It was her heart torturing her at night.

She pulled open the top left desk drawer and removed a black folder. Gazing into the bottom of the drawer she pursed her lips at the silver puck shaped object. She put the foil wrapped treat in there the day she moved into Brenda's old office. It was Sharon's way of keeping a part of Brenda there with her. She looked at that stupid chocolate treat every day she felt herself coming undone. Today was one of those days.

Tao stuck his head in startling her and she slammed the drawer closed.

"Captain, we got it." He waived the court order.

Faster than she expected, the Christmas Eve case was closed and she sent her team home for the holidays. She stayed behind to finish up some reports she didn't want to deal with later. She may as well work. There wasn't anything to go home to but an empty house and a bottle of scotch.

Signing her name to the last of the reports, she clicked her pen closed as the door of her office swung open. And like a mirage, there she stood in her pink flowery knee length skirt and matching sweater. That black leather purse slung over one shoulder. Her pink colored lips slowly spread into a wide smile. A smile just for her. Brenda put her hand on her hip. "Surprise!" she said with a twinkle in her eyes.

Sharon blinked repeatedly as she shakily stood up to greet Brenda. She couldn't believe she was standing here in front of her. All she thought about was giving her a hug and now here she was.

Just as Sharon reached out to Brenda-her fingertips almost touching her, her telephone rang, pulling her from a deep sleep. She hadn't realized she'd fallen asleep until then. The dream had been so vivid. She stared longingly at the door where Brenda had just appeared in her dreams. She'd dreamed about her before but she had never gotten that close to touching her.

Before she could answer the ringing phone, it stopped. Huffing out a breath of air, she put her glasses back on, grabbed her purse and walked out of her office.

Captain Sharon Raydor hadn't taken any time off in the months since she'd taken over Major Crimes. So the last 4 days of the current year and the first 4 days of the upcoming year she was put on RTO, required time off. She knew she couldn't fight it.

Sitting at home twiddling her thumbs would be hell but she trusted her team. They were the best she'd ever worked with.

Later that night Sharon Raydor reclined back on her backyard patio lounge chair, staring at the stars in the sky and sipping a large scotch and water. She came in, put on a pair of black yoga pants and a grey LAPD sweatshirt, and rummaged in the bottom of her refrigerator for a pack of cigarettes she'd thrown in there months ago. She hadn't had the urge to smoke in years but this year she fought it every day. Today she gave in. And it felt good to pull the thick smoke into her lungs.

The dream earlier had cut her to her core. It had crossed her mind a few times to see the psychiatrist about this hold she allowed Brenda Leigh Johnson to have over her but decided against it. Somethings she just needed to keep private.

She smoked three Marlboro Lights before finally calling it a night and going inside. The scotch kept her warm in the cold darkness.

It was 2am when she exited the hot shower and crawled into her big, soft bed. Her body was exhausted and hopefully tonight she would be able to sleep. Turning on her side Sharon decided to try something a little different tonight. Fluffing up the other extra large pillow, she positioned it flush against her back.

As she closed her eyes, she imagined instead of that pillow, it was Brenda Leigh snuggled up against her back. Sharon had fought such thoughts for a long time but finally after realizing that she couldn't let Brenda go and that she probably wasn't ever coming back, she gave in. Her thoughts turned from friendship to romantic.

After her divorce, Sharon finally admitted to herself that she was attracted to women as well as men. But she had never acted on her feelings. And in reality, she hadn't wanted to act on them with anyone until Brenda Leigh. Sharon was focused on her career and being the best LAPD female captain. But then she met Brenda Leigh Johnson and her world, both professional and private, was turned upside down.

Sharon Raydor fell into a deep, satisfying sleep with the thoughts of Brenda Leigh cuddling her back.