Sharon and Brenda do coffee
Sharon's viewpoint
Over the last year Sharon Raydor and Brenda Leigh Johnson had established a routine, several nights a week they would meet for coffee after work, urgent cases permitting, to talk over their day. It had started during the Goldman case, when they didn't know who they could trust, so they met where they couldn't be heard.
Both had found no reason to stop meeting after that mess had eventually petered out. Brenda made it clear that she found the catch ups pleasant, while for Sharon it beat heading home to an empty house in the suburbs. After Fritz left Brenda had quietly admitted that she found herself looking forward to them for a sense of continuity, an affirmation that the world hadn't ended when he left.
They hadn't started out looking for friendship, Sharon had entertained more than a few fantasies about Brenda when they first clashed, most of which involved firearms. After the mess that the Ally Moore case had turned into had been resolved, Sharon had quietly admitted to herself that when they weren't arguing they actually worked together extremely well.
Leaning back in her chair, she looked out over the quiet cafe, reflecting back on what had changed since that horrible case. Despite admitting after the case wrapped up that they didn't like each other, Sharon and Brenda actually started being civil to one another, at least where competing cases weren't concerned.
It started when Brenda started sitting next to Sharon at the weekly senior officers meetings, laughing that there would always be an empty seat next to the scary FID Captain and she might as well have someone next to her that Sharon knew disliked her rather than everyone else, who pretended to like her.
Sharon had rolled her eyes at that, making a snide remark about keeping friends close and enemies closer but was secretly pleased that someone cared enough to make fun of it. She smiled quietly to herself at the memory of the look on Pope's face when he walked in to see them sitting together. It had been a combination of disbelief and fear and he spent the rest of the meeting shooting apprehensive glances at them.
Since then they had become first allies, then friends, which had surprised them both. It made sense though, they were the two most senior women in the LAPD, working in a very male-dominated organisation and they needed the ability to be able to hang out and bitch about their job, their cases and their colleagues.
Catching a glimpse of Brenda walking into the café she waved to catch her attention and watched as the blonde weaved her way through to tables to their normal back booth. Taking in Brenda's tailored brown jacket and skirt suit, Sharon smiled to herself; it had been one of her recommendations, as had the heels. As a friend Sharon had made it her goal to get Brenda out of those hideous floral prints she was so attached to. Little by little she was winning that war.
"And what were you smirking at just then Captain Raydor?" I smiled, both at the accent and being caught.
"Just admiring your suit Brenda Leigh, you look good" She blushed slightly as she sat down.
"Well, I did need a new some new clothes and it was easier to follow your advice than have you continuing to rag me about my sweaters and dresses and all" She smiled at me and leaned back as I caught the waitress' eye.
"So how was your day?" I leaned back into the seat, relaxing back into the cushions.
"Relatively quiet, no new incidents over the weekend so I got paperwork done, fitness reports mostly" She pulled a face at the mention of paperwork.
"Shoot, I still have to finish the team's fitreps as well or HR will be nagging me. Again" Her mouth did that quirky twist I'm so used to and I smiled.
"Nothing new there, they end up having to chase you every six months because you're late" She threw her hands up in irritation.
"We catch the bad guys, close cases and get convictions, as far as I'm concerned that's all Major Crimes should be judged on, not some boring paperwork that no one ever reads"
"Hey, I agree, but it's not me you have to convince Brenda" She shrugged and then smiled as Sarah arrived with our order. We've been coming here long enough that they know our order, a hot chocolate for Brenda and an espresso for me. I watched as her eyes squeezed shut at the first taste, the double chocolate exploding on her taste buds. I had to laugh.
"Like blood to a vampire. No that's OK Brenda, you don't have a chocolate addiction, I'm sure you can stop anytime you want to"
"Is it a crime that I like chocolate? Anyway it releases chemicals that are good for you, so there" I give up; how she wasn't a diabetic I have no idea.
"I had an interesting visitor this morning" She looked up with interest.
"Oh really, so did I. You go first" I watched as Brenda suddenly realised what she'd said, while I smiled lazily.
"I always do" She mock frowned at me, then laughed.
"Oh for heaven's sake Sharon, you're terrible" Her hands fluttered. "Get on with it"
"I met our new Media Liaison person today" Her eyes widened.
"What happened to Taylor? He was always so proud posing in front of the camera like a fat peacock, he won't be happy about that"
"I took a sip of my coffee, making her wait.
"You have no idea. Our new media liaison is a woman, an extremely attractive woman I might add" Brenda fell back in her chair, shocked.
"Really; a woman? Oh my lord, Taylor's not going to like that, not one teeny bit". Her grin was pure spite.
"I wasn't kidding about the attractive part either, I could hear my team discussing her after she left and they couldn't understand why someone like her was working for the LAPD". She cocked her head to the side as she reached out to fiddle with her glass.
"This just gets better and better, tell me more" she pleaded.
"Natalie Dearing, blonde, beautiful, could probably work as a model if she wanted to. Coming off several years as Seattle PD's media liaison and was a journalist before that. I swear Brenda, she walked into my squad room and work just stopped, you could hear a pin drop, along with most of the squad's jaws" Brenda cocked her head at me.
"Looks like she made quite the impression, I'll have to meet her".
"You will. She's coming to visit you tomorrow, so keep Flynn and Provenza on short leashes" She started giggling, obviously working on that mental image.
"Flynn and Provenza already have enough to keep them occupied, thank you very much" I frowned
"How so"
"My new detective started this morning, Jane Rizzoli from Boston" I quirked an eyebrow at Brenda, I'd completely forgotten about her arrival.
"And?"
"She's… interesting" I raised an eyebrow.
"Interesting? You're going to have to give me a bit more to work with here Brenda" She looked up, a pensive look on her face.
"Oh, she's tall, slim, long dark hair, dresses very practically, not a skirt sort of person at all I gather. Quite striking and could be very pretty in fact if she wanted to be, very intense. Certainly no shrinking violet either, she and Flynn were giving each other grief over baseball teams this afternoon" I sat back and waited for her to continue.
"But she's had some bad experiences there Sharon; she's got scars on her hands, plus another on her neck. They were put there by Charles Hoyt, the serial killer" I nodded; I remembered the media coverage of the case.
"He was a very nasty piece of work, kill the husband, rape the wife, and then kill and bury her, returning to the body repeatedly later to…" I shuddered; the man was a monster, an overused description but one fitting this time. "He's dead thank God" I added.
Brenda nodded.
"Jane Rizzoli killed him, shoved a scalpel though his chest. Apparently Hoyt fixated on her, and tried to kill her in the prison hospital infirmary"
"Oh"
"Yes, oh"
"Do you think she'll work out in Major Crimes?"
"Boston Homicide couldn't recommend her highly enough, and she has an enviable closure rate, but I have no doubt there are still some demons in there. Maura too" I frowned, Maura?
"Who's Maura?" Brenda looked puzzled for a moment and then smiled.
"Maura Isles, MY interesting visitor. Our new Medical Examiner; she's subbing for Morales while he's away. She's from Boston as well, Rizzoli and she are friends" I sat back for a moment, thinking back to the articles in the media.
"Wasn't she also involved with the Hoyt case?"
"Yep, Hoyt was about to kill her when Rizzoli killed him to protect her. There's a small scar on her neck, you wouldn't notice unless you were looking for it. Hoyt put it there, he wanted to kill her to hurt Rizzoli" Brenda shook her head slowly, her blonde curls catching the lights, with a pensive expression on her face. I reached across the table and placed my hand on hers.
"You've had some experience being on the receiving end of a sicko's attention yourself Brenda, with that arsonist Croelick. You OK?" She nodded and smiled, placing her other hand on top of mine.
"Yep, although I didn't have to resort to a knife to get closure" I smiled to diffuse the tension.
"Yes, you normally use your gun and then chocolate afterwards" It was true, after a shooting Brenda coped with epic chocolate binges. Me, I found quality red wine worked just as well. I decided to change the topic.
"So, what is our new ME like?" Brenda laughed, a happy sound, although she made no move to withdraw her hands from where they held mine.
"Like no coroner you've ever seen. She's really pretty, charming, smart and dresses like a Vogue model" Before I could say anything she shushed me. "Not a word Sharon Raydor. I know you don't like everything I wear but I am changing, slowly. But I will not dress like I just stepped off a catwalk" I raised an eyebrow.
"That good?"
"Heavens yes, I don't know fashion all that well…"
"Do tell"
"Oh be quiet you or you can pay the bill" She looked at me fondly. "I may not be up on my Dior's and Chanel's and what not like you but even I could tell Maura has good taste in expensive clothes"
"So a bit of a clothes horse? Seems a bit odd for a ME"
"She comes very well recommended from Boston. Incidentally, you will probably be seeing her sooner rather than later. She makes it a habit to attend crime scenes"
"Really; why?" Brenda disentangled her hands from mine as she waved for Sarah to come over for our order.
"She said it allows her to get started on telling the victim's story faster, to see the body on site" I tried to not miss the warmth of her hands.
"Different, sounds like she is passionate about her job, but in a good way" Brenda nodded as Sarah arrived to take our dinner order.
"Interesting that they came to LA together, they must be close?" Brenda nodded.
"Nothing was said, but I noticed that Rizzoli's quite protective of our new ME. Maura told me that if Jane hadn't been able to come she would have had to decline as well. She was quite grateful for having her in the squad, so I think there's more there than just good friends" I pursed my lips.
"You OK with that? You mentioned that you weren't happy when Gabriel and Daniels were dating"
"Well, they aren't working in the same team, and what they do in their own time is their business" I relaxed as I listened, I didn't think Brenda was homophobic but I had never asked. She seemed to have no problems with Morales, but some women don't like dealing with lesbians. Then I had a thought.
"That reminds me. Our new media liaison's in a relationship as well" Brenda frowned, trying to follow my leap of logic.
"So?" I smiled.
"With our new FBI liaison officer"
"Oh, they finally got around to replacing Fritz. Bout time, it's been eight months now" I looked over at Brenda, where her gaze was fixed on the tablecloth.
"Brenda, you OK? I'm sorry honey" Shit, Honey? Where did that come from? Brenda looked up with a surprised look, which morphed into a shy smile.
"I'm doing much better, thanks to my friends; the guys have been very supportive and honestly, I wouldn't have been able to cope without your help. I really appreciate you for helping me though Sharon" I smiled in return, and then froze as she spoke in a voice that was pure Southern drawl. "Thank you sweetie"
Sweetie? What the hell? A peal of laughter rang out across the café.
"Oh my goodness Sharon, you should see the look on your face!" I looked down as I felt the blush sweeping across my face. "I thought it was the least I could do, you calling me honey and all" I kept my face down, feeling hot and embarrassed and tingly all at once. Brenda's voice changed, suddenly becoming quieter and concerned.
"Sharon, I'm so very sorry, I didn't mean to embarrass you, Are you OK" I looked up to a pair of concerned brown eyes deep enough to drown in. I nodded.
"Sorry, you just caught me by surprise" Brenda smiled, her hand seeking out mine on the table.
"I just thought that if you were comfortable enough to have a pet name for me, I should have one for you. I'm sorry if I've upset you". I smiled back at her.
"It's OK; it was just a surprise hearing it from you"
"Well, you started it, I don't mind though. It sounds good, coming from you. It's nice to think I have a friend who cares enough to talk to me like that"
I smiled, while butterflies chased themselves around my stomach. This was my friend, my only good friend, and I was all flustered because she used a term of endearment? I liked her, a lot, but I had long ago decided to keep it friendly; Brenda was straight as a line and not interested.
"Anyway, what's this about our new FBI Liaison you were telling me?"
"Oh, well SHE is our media liaison's partner. Apparently she was the Seattle PD liaison and when she got a transfer to LA, Natalie Dearing applied for the media liaison role to be able to move here with her."
"Oh, that is interesting, Taylor won't like that. Not only replaced by an attractive woman, but an attractive lesbian. No he won't like that at all" Her mouth quirked again. "What's the FBI woman's name?"
"I didn't get the chance to ask, all I heard was Ana" I shrugged. "No doubt you will meet her soon enough"
Brenda nodded.
"Sure enough I will. Hopefully we can start gettin' some real cooperation from the Bureau, lord knows it's been lacking in recent times" I was about to reply when dinner arrived, I watched Brenda enthusiastically tear into her cottage pie with amusement.
"Skip lunch today?" She shook her head.
"No, just been looking forward to this…" She waved her knife around, encompassing the meal, the chat, everything. "…all day" her voice changed again, taking on that exaggerated Brenda Leigh drawl
"So, sweetie, tell me, what else has been happening?" I had to laugh at her sly smile, before taking up the challenge.
"Well, honey…" I exaggerated the word; "I did hear something interesting about two officers in Narcotics that couldn't possibly be true…"
The rest of the meal was spent gossiping and laughing, just another normal Monday night.