I hope this works the way I want it to and I don't screw it up!

Mcdonnellfan: thanks for the awesome comment! Griff gives me the creeps too. At first I wanted him to be a good guy but then he turned on me and now I don't know where he's going. :)

Docile boy: thank you. I'm glad you're enjoying it. I'm enjoying writing it.

I really am having a good time writing this story because it gives me something to do on days when I need my mind to wander somewhere else and I adore all of these characters. I hope I haven't lost many of you because of the detail and the storyline. I don't want to end this anytime soon so I'm trying to keep it going without bogging down too much.

Please let me know what is working for you and what isn't. Your comments really do inspire me. Thank you! -T

It was the first day back on the job after her required time off and her desk was covered in endless stacks of paperwork. But truth be told, she was happy to get back into action. Sitting at home and wondering and worrying about a certain person was starting to wear her down. For the beginning of a new year, it was relatively slow. She watched her crew…it still felt odd to call them her crew…through the blinds in her office. They were discussing and working through a cold case.

Then a knock sounded at her door and in stepped Special Agent Fritz Howard. She hadn't seen him since that night after the smuggling bust.

"Agent Howard." She took off her glasses and laid them on top of a pile of papers in front of her.

"Captain." He gestured towards the door. "May I?" She nodded and he closed the door behind him.

Before he said anything else he also shut the blinds to the rest of the office so no one could see in. Undoubtedly, the team had turned their attention on the shielded windows. Their curiosity always got the best of them.

Sharon narrowed her eyes as Fritz closed all of the blinds slowly and meticulously. Finally he sat down in the chair in front of her desk. A grave look of concern shadowed his face. Resting his elbows on his knees he leaned forward and scrubbed his face in his hands.

Still she waited with her arms crossed over her chest.

"Sharon." His voice cracked. Her head instinctively tilted to the right. Fritz had never called her Sharon before and he especially would not at work. The tone of his voice, just from the one word, caused her heart to beat faster. "Do you know where Brenda is?" It cracked again.

"No, I don't." He tried to gauge if she was lying. "Really, I don't know." She insisted. She could tell he believed her. He'd have to. She honestly didn't know where Brenda was. Then she remembered. "Wait. London. That's all I know." Sharon put her hands up with her palms out.

The time Brenda Leigh and Sharon had spent together recently had been cloaked in secrecy and urgency. She recalled the abbreviated story Brenda told her about the diamond job. But Brenda hadn't revealed much of anything obviously. She mentioned she'd been in London the last year but that was about it.

The skepticism returned to his face. "You talked with her? When?"

"I saw her a few days ago. She's deep in a job."

"The CIA again? Dammit, so it was her the other night!" He threw himself out of the chair and started pacing the room.

She had to admit to herself that he had her worried now.

"Have you been following up on Phillip Stroh?" Still pacing, he rubbed the back of his neck.

"Stroh?" She shook her head back and forth. She hadn't heard that name in years. "No, that case was closed a long time ago if you'll recall."

He stopped at the edge of her desk and took a deep breath. "He turned state's evidence…"

"He's out!?" Her voice was loud and sharp. "How is that possible? He murdered young women and he tried to..." she swallowed the lump that quickly formed in her throat, "kill your wife."

Fritz waved her off. "I don't know. I don't know. I just know he turned, they put him in WP and…"

He stopped and she waited for him to continue but he didn't. "And what?" She asked more evenly than she thought she could given her insides were a mess. He was being so aloof and her main concern was for Brenda. What did this have to do with her? What wasn't he trying to tell her!?

"They've lost contact with him."

She felt the blood drain from her face. "Sooo…" Her brain was trying to put the pieces together. "Some judge put a murderer into witness protection and now his appointed liaisons have lost contact with him?"

Fritz just stared at her. "Do you think he'd go after her?"

In an attempt to hide her fear, she put her glasses back on her nose. "I think Phillip Stroh is a dangerous man. Do I think he'd go after her? Yes, I think that's a great possibility."

The pacing started again. "We have to find her."

Sharon quietly pulled open the left desk drawer and stared at the foil wrapped treat in the bottom. She still hadn't taken it out. It kind of comforted her when she least expected it. "I'll find her." She pushed the drawer closed again.

He curtly nodded his head and started to open the door. "I'll send you all the information I have." He opened the door to leave. "Be careful." Fritz knew if anyone could find Brenda, Sharon would be the one. They had a bond that he didn't understand. Hell, for years he thought they hated one another but once they learned each other they became a dynamic duo of sorts.

After he left she blew out a long slow breath then picked up her office phone and dialed a number from memory. "Gus, I need a favor. A big favor."

Two long hours later, she had changed, packed a suitcase and was waiting for Gus at Van Nuys airport. She just hoped she wasn't too late.

A tall middle-aged man with salt and pepper hair walked up to Sharon with big smile on his face. He didn't say anything before wrapping his arms around her in a big hug. She returned it with just as much gusto.

"It's been a long time." He said.

"Yes." She agreed simply.

Taking her bags he led them to the long-range Gulfstream jet parked at one of the gates. As he followed her up the steps he explained that since this arrangement was such short notice that he wouldn't have a flight attendant on board but would have a co-pilot. He showed her to all the amenities on board before making his final pre-flight checks.

A few hours into the flight Sharon pulled out her iPad and used the plane's wifi to try getting in touch with her contact at the police department in London. She cautioned Fritz about circulating Brenda Leigh's picture around because if her cover was broken without her knowing what was going on, Brenda's life would certainly be over.

Looking at her watch, she determined it was early evening in London so she texted her trusted contact and waited for a response.

There was only one thing on her mind as she stared through the windows into the clear blue sky. She knew Brenda Leigh was more than capable of taking care of herself but if she didn't know what was coming at her she wouldn't have a chance. Sharon was a strong woman and didn't scare easily but this scenario scared her to death.

Her phone rang startling her out of her daydream.

"Hello." She answered in her always professional, even tone.

Sharon!

A small smile appeared. "Lila. Hello. I'm sorry to bother you this late. Can you talk?"

Of course.

Lila Browning and Sharon Raydor met more than 30 years ago as two young female cops trying to make it and succeed in a man's world. Both passed the tests and worked their way to two of the highest positions in their respective departments.

Sharon explained the situation with Brenda to Lila over the phone. She stressed it had to be just between them for Brenda's safety. Lila understood and promised to help all she could and would start before Sharon landed.

With a late nights and hard work ahead of her, Sharon slept the rest of the way on the plane. The timezone difference would be hell but if all worked out then it would be worth it. She'd sacrifice anything…for her.