A/N The wonderful characters of 'The Closer' and 'Rizzoli and Isles' belong to their respective rights holders, no infringement is intended, but as always, thanks for letting us have our way with them, if only for a moment.
A quick thanks to Kyra Sedgwick, Mary McDonnell, Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander for the warmth and depth you bring to the portrayals of our favourite detectives.
The pool party Part 1
Sharon's viewpoint
Maura and Jane's house was a beautiful architect-designed place that exuded style, class and money. I knew it was rented not owned, but it would still cost a significant part of my monthly salary in rent.
I was ringing their door bell for the second time in a week, this time for a pool party. Maura had dropped by to casually note that they were having a small gathering of friends at their place on Sunday and they would be honoured if I could join them.
I'd been of a mind to go even before she had mentioned that Brenda was coming, so I'd smiled and told her I wouldn't miss it for the world. I'd expected a nice time, enjoying a hot and sunny LA day with friends, lounging around their pool, but I wasn't prepared for the number of surprises the day would hold.
The first surprise met me at the front door, when Anastasia opened it in response to my ring. She was wearing a red one piece that was doing a very poor job of covering what I immediately realised was a quite spectacular body.
I knew you could hide a lot under slacks and jackets, hell, I'd been doing it for years, but she had somehow managed to hide a body that wouldn't have shamed a lingerie model, but which was emphasised by the swimsuit, especially at it was still damp from the pool, as was her hair.
"Sharon, lovely to see you; please come on in"
She leaned into give me a quick peck on the cheek before stepping back.
"Jane's out by the pool with Nat and Maura's in the wine cellar" I walked in and followed her through the house, I'd been here before, but that had been in the evening, in the light of day I couldn't help but admire the spacious house with its wooden floors, cathedral ceilings, skylights and airy design, the house felt even bigger than it was.
Following her out through the living area and out onto the patio, I could see a large swimming pool surrounded by decking, screened from the neighbours by artfully placed trees and shrubs, ensuring complete privacy.
I was also trying desperately to not stare at Anastasia as she walked in front of me, she was beautiful, with a body to die for and I could feel my mouth go slightly dry as I ran my eyes over her. I reminded myself that she was taken, but it didn't stop me from looking.
I was already feeling self-conscious after seeing Anastasia, a feeling which wasn't helped by what was waiting for me on the patio.
Jane and Natalie were laid out side by side on deck chairs by the pool. I'd always known that Natalie was impressive, but the skimpy white bikini she was wearing hid nothing, if anything it emphasised the lush curves that her work suits did an inadequate job of covering and which had half of the LAPDs senior officers bewitched.
An even bigger surprise though was Jane, who was reclining back in the sun next to Natalie. It wasn't the dark blue one piece she was wearing, although it did a nice job of emphasising her slender fashion model's figure, it was her legs. My god, that woman's legs should have been striding down catwalks; they could stop traffic. They seemed to go on forever, long and strong and powerful, a wonderful combination of genes and hard work in the gym.
I stood for a moment in the doorway, letting my eyes wander over them both. I don't normally stare, but those two…
Regaining my composure, I stepped out as Anastasia announced my arrival, which drew both of them to their feet to welcome me, giving me an even better view of their figures.
I'm normally not body conscious, I'm quietly proud of the body I've worked hard through countless morning runs and gym sessions to maintain, but surrounded by three beautiful women, I felt every one of my 55 years. Natalie enfolded me in a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek while Jane called back to the house that I had arrived.
A few seconds later I inwardly groaned as Maura walked out with a tray holding two bottles of wine and half a dozen glasses. For a moment I wondered if I had fallen into an alternate dimension, the world of stunning women. I knew Maura was beautiful, something her wardrobe simply emphasised, but in a green bikini that was only modest by comparison with Natalie's, she was a sight to behold, even if, shorn of her usual three or four inch heels, she was shorter than I expected.
Giving me a kiss on the cheek, Maura smiled happily at me.
"It's lovely to see you Sharon, I'm so glad you could come. I've just opened some fresh wine; we had just finished the last bottle so your timing is excellent"
"Thank you for inviting me Maura, seeing it in the daylight, you really have a lovely home" She grinned happily.
"It was available at just the right time, so I feel we were lucky to get it, it's got a lovely and light feel which makes the most of the sunshine. Ah thank you Jane" Jane was handling the drinks and handed me a glass of white, which turned out to be a very rich and smoky Australian Chardonnay.
I heard a set of high pitched barks and looked down to find their dog, Jo welcoming me with a wagging tail. I bent down to give her a pat, as she popped up on her back legs, resting her front paws on my leg and leaned into the pats I was giving her. Looking at her Jane laughed.
"She's supposed to be my dog, but she's got no loyalty at all. Show her some attention and she's yours" Maura smiled.
"I think she remembers you from last weekend" Looking up she explained to Natalie and Anastasia. "Sharon was our guest for dinner last weekend and charmed Jo; she ended up falling asleep in Sharon's lap" I just kept rubbing her under the chin, as her tailed vibrated back and forward happily.
Jane just shook her head.
"Traitor"
We sat and chatted for a few minutes, before Natalie stated that she was heading into the pool to cool down, which encouraged the others in as well.
I had felt the perspiration start in the hot sun under the polo shirt and jeans I was wearing, so I reluctantly stood up to take them off. Stripping off I stood there in the conservative black two piece I had on underneath, feeling very conscious of my no longer youthful body, but none of them gave me a second glance as I stepped down into the pool, which was invitingly cool.
For the next few minutes I bobbed around chatting to the others before I dived under, swimming the length of the pool and surfacing at the far end.
Standing there I momentarily felt a little naked with my hair wet and what little makeup I had on probably washed off, but I realised in a moment of insight that they didn't care and neither did I, they were behaving like friends, as Jane and Anastasia splashed water at each other while Maura and Natalie laughed.
I was here to have a fun afternoon with some people who had extended the hand of friendship to me; it beat an afternoon at home reading a book and I was honest enough to admit that I had been looking forward to it since being asked.
Resolutely pushing any remaining modesty and feelings of inadequacy away, I dived back under and swam back to the far end, surfacing between Natalie and Maura who were apparently talking shopping and designer labels
I happily fell into the discussion, easy enough given I have a liking for Armani suits which Brenda teases me about constantly, plus a small collection of Jimmy Choo's that were my secret fashion indulgence. Well not so secret now.
I heard the doorbell ring which drew Natalie out of the pool, quickly drying off before wrapping a towel around her waist and walking into the house. A minute or two later, she returned, leading Brenda out onto the patio.
I had been intrigued as to what she would wear, her wardrobe had changed a lot over the years, partly under my recent prodding, but I'd never actually seen her dressed really casually.
She had obviously decided to get into the casual feel, wearing a loose wrap skirt, a T shirt and sandals, with her hair up in a high ponytail, which made her look a lot younger.
We waved from the pool and I saw her eyes fall on where I was leaning up against the pool wall, a wide smile breaking out.
After exchanging greetings with everyone, she paused for a moment, before pulling off her clothes, revealing a green and gold one piece that did nice things to her slim figure. I'd never seen her like this, so I took a moment to admire her. She had a slim figure, but it was still delightfully curved. I was surprised by her breasts, they were a little larger than I expected, not too large, but generous for her body.
I'd already seen enough of her legs to know they were nice, but with them all on show I just had to take a moment to admire them, they were long, slim and lovely, much like the rest of her.
With a start I pulled my admiration into line, Brenda was resolutely straight and as such impossibly out of reach. Nothing good would come of mooning over her, so I pushed my honest appreciation of her as a sexy woman firmly to one side.
Casually walking over to the pool steps she stepped down into the water, giving a little shiver as the water moved up her body, before she resolutely dived in and swam over to where I was.
Surfacing near me she gave a cute grin as she trod water.
"Sharon Raydor, why fancy meeting you here" I couldn't help but smile back, she looked much younger without makeup and with that normal mass of blonde curls now plastered back against her head, contributing to the youthful look.
"Brenda Leigh Johnson, all wet and out of uniform too" She grinned happily at the teasing.
"So are you. I don't think I've ever seen you out of stilettoes, ever!" I laughed,
"They don't quite work as swimwear, unfortunately" She nodded, mock seriously.
"True, a shame though, I hardly know you out of your suits and heels. Are you sure you're Sharon Raydor, you look like you're having too much fun to be her" Not dignifying her comment with a reply, I just splashed her with water, causing her to give a startled cry before starting to laugh.
"Definitely not Sharon Raydor" she muttered, before splashing water back at me. Suddenly Anastasia loomed over us standing on the edge of the pool.
"Ladies please; a little decorum here. We expect you'll behave like the responsible senior officers of the LAPD you ahhhhh!" Her teasing speech went completely out the window as Natalie snuck up behind her and pushed her in, laughing hysterically as Anastasia flopped in.
Brenda and I both laughed as Anastasia came up spluttering, spinning around to stare daggers at her partner.
"Oh laugh it up Blondie, you'll pay for that. Sooner than you think" What Ana had seen but Natalie hadn't was Jane sneaking up behind her. Before she could speak she was suddenly flying headfirst into the pool, courtesy of a quick push.
I wasn't too busy laughing to not notice that our ever so prim and proper Medical Examiner had decided to get in the action, sneaking up behind Jane intent on pushing her in as well. Jane however had spotted her out of the corner of her eye and had quickly stepped to one side, pushing Maura in instead. With a shriek Maura splashed into the pool, joining the rest of us.
Laughing Jane struck a mock Charles Atlas pose as we looked up at her.
"Looks like I win" She grinned a little too smugly.
Maura just glared at her for a second, pushing her hair away from her face, before looking around at us as she headed for the edge of the pool.
"Girls, a little help here please" The next couple of minutes were a laughing blur as we chased Jane around the pool and garden, Jo barking excitedly, before we cornered her and with someone on each arm and leg, carried her to the pool edge as she struggled, although not too hard, before we unceremoniously threw her in. Maura looked immensely pleased, smiling proudly at the rest of us.
"I think that calls for a drink"
A drink or two later we had mostly ended up back in the pool to escape the heat. I was leaning up against the pool edge, chatting idly to Brenda, who was standing nearby, when she didn't answer a question.
Turning, I saw Brenda had paused in the act of wringing water out of her hair, watching Jane and Maura kiss at the other end of the pool. It wasn't a quick peck, more a drawn out promise of things to come.
To be honest, I wasn't bothered, they were obviously deeply in love and not shy about it, and no reason to be here in their own home, so their open affection was hardly surprising, what was a surprise was Brenda's reaction.
There was something in her eyes, a longing, almost a hunger, that shocked me to the core, before she whirled away, turning and diving deep underwater for the far side of the pool.
To buy myself time I ducked back under the surface and swam across to the pool steps. When I surfaced again and casually looked around, Jane was splashing water at Maura, who was shrieking with laughter while Brenda had turned and was snagging the air cushion before flipping herself into it and laying back.
I knew Brenda had been separated for the better part of a year and the estrangement from Fritz had started months before that, so it was a safe bet that Brenda was lonely and missing the comfort of another's touch, but the flash of longing I saw there was a little unnerving in its intensity.
It hadn't really occurred to me that Brenda, who was so passionate and emotional about her work, would be at least as much so in her relationships, what I also hadn't completely understood was exactly how lonely and wanting she was.
The other revelation was that she had watched as two women openly made out in front of her and had been obviously affected by it. I had thought Brenda was dead straight, although it may just have been the open display of easy intimacy that stoked the longing for human touch in her.
I completely understood how she felt, it had been a while for me as well, but my marriage had ended years ago, she was still officially married, even if in reality it was as dead as Julius Caesar.
I frowned for a moment, a little saddened at what I had seen, she was a beautiful woman, I couldn't help but notice all afternoon that she had a lovely figure, although how she kept it given her massive addiction to chocolate I had no idea.
She should be easily able to attract someone, if only she would let them in. However since her separation she had pretty much buried herself in her work, the only people she really socialised with were her squad and I.
I was glad she had come today and I was certain she was enjoying it, I hadn't missed the shrieks of laughter as we had dragged Jane to the pool, plus she was more relaxed than I had seen her in months. Still, I resolved to try and keep a close eye on her, to try and be a better friend to her in the future.
We messed around for another 20 minutes or so before Maura and Jane headed inside to prepare lunch, Brenda drifting around the pool on the inflatable while Natalie and Ana sat on the pool steps together. I was sitting on the pool edge, letting the sun and breeze dry me off and luxuriating in the warmth on my back when I saw Anastasia lean in to kiss Natalie, a long, slow sensuous kiss that left me feeling butterflies in my stomach.
A thought occurred to me and I looked around to see Brenda watching them with rapt attention, her eyes wide, her mouth a little open. Not realising they were being examined, the girls kissed for about 20 seconds before breaking it off, but in that time I watched Brenda's mouth snap shut, before her tongue slowly peeked out, moistening her obviously dry lips.
Her eyes had narrowed, which at first made me think she disapproved, before I realised that she was aroused, her nipples becoming hard under the wet fabric.
I found my own mouth had gone dry, Brenda was watching them and it was turning her on. Oh my god.
I was still processing that fact when Natalie and Ana broke off their kiss and Brenda abruptly rolled off the inflatable and disappeared under the surface.
Brenda was being turned on by two women kissing, not only that but she had been physically aroused, her body unable to hide the physical reaction to what she had been watching and thinking.
Eventually Brenda broke the surface on the other side of the pool, as she stood there, facing away from us. I guessed she was trying to get herself back under control before having to face us.
I was still processing what had happened when I saw Jane and Maura walk out to the large outside table, carrying bowls of salads. Obviously lunch was imminent.
It occurred to me that Brenda had let herself relax and her normal guard was down. I was seeing the hurt, lonely woman beneath the Southern charm she used to deflect everyone around her from looking underneath. Today however she was relaxed and unguarded.
I felt both intrigued and saddened by what I had seen today. Brenda was so alone and hurting and yearning for affection, it must be a form of torture for her, even though I was certain that neither of the couples realised the effect they were having on Brenda.
However something had changed, something new had happened today.
The easy air of openness, love and sensuality between both couples had opened Brenda's eyes to something she had no previous experience of, one that had been quite unexpected, but not unwelcome, to judge by her bodies reaction.
The thought ran around and around in circles inside my head; Brenda had been turned on watching them, not once, but twice. Maybe she was nowhere near as straight as I had thought, or perhaps she was straight but only now realising that women could be as arousing as men and a whole lot more sensual.
I smirked softly to myself, I could have told her that, or better yet, shown her.
Whoops. Where had that come from?
Well, if I was truthful it had come straight from my own libido. I was honest enough to admit I had come to desire Brenda. Over the last few months I'd discovered I had more than a few passing fantasies where Brenda had played a starring role.
I'd always rationalised them as simply an overactive mind fixating on a pretty woman who was familiar to me, as far I knew Brenda was as straight as they came, with no interest in women. Now I wasn't so sure.
If I was being really honest, the idea of seducing Brenda was about the hottest thing I could imagine, I could feel my body reacting of its own accord to the thought, as I desperately stamped down on my arousal.
It occurred to me that there might be an opportunity for me here. Brenda was alone, lonely, needy and as had been so convincingly proven, she seemed to have found the sight of two women making out to be…interesting.
Could we have something more than just friendship?
I chastised myself for thinking about my friend like this; I would be taking advantage of her loneliness and vulnerability if I was to push the boundaries. I might also lose her as a friend if she didn't reciprocate.
Could I really take advantage of her loneliness, her need, to try and make a move on Brenda? This was one of my few close friends; I could lose her forever if I messed this up.
I didn't really have all that many people I could be so close to, Brenda was perhaps my closest friend, well, there really wasn't a perhaps about it. Dare I risk that, for something that may be unwelcome and unwanted?
Another voice deep inside however had a different argument, one I would normally push away but which today could not be ignored.
That voice stated that we were both lonely, that we were friends who already got along well together and who might want to take it to a new level, that Brenda was at least interested enough in same-sex relationships to find them arousing and that it wouldn't hurt to push a little, just to explore the options.
If nothing else, this was the right place to test some boundaries, while we were in an environment where we wouldn't be judged by our hosts.
Besides, that maddeningly teasing little voice whispered, it'd be fun.
I smiled slyly to myself. It would be that.