Post Pool Party
Jane's viewpoint
Monday morning, back at work after a big weekend and back to more legwork, more chasing dead ends. We had half a dozen Barrett's unaccounted for, any of which may have been our sniper. We were trying to cross match owners with weapons, but at least two had been stolen from the owner's homes, so they could be anywhere.
Ana had wandered up, partly to chew over the case and partly to thank Maura and I for a wonderful afternoon. They'd enjoyed it immensely, so had we, it felt so easy to be friends with them, they'd become very close to us in such a short space of time, but it all felt so natural.
Ana looked up from where she was perched on my desk and over to where Brenda was sitting in her office, glasses on, working through paperwork. I followed her eyes and saw her there, she was back to being the Chief, the laughing happy women in the pool submerged under the suits and the rank and the responsibilities of the job. But it made me smile to remember the person she could be.
"Do you think she knows?" I looked at Ana, who had spoken quietly for my ears only.
"I don't know, she may have been oblivious or simply not recognised it as much beyond friendship" Ana nodded slowly.
"I hope it works out, she's a lovely woman, it's a shame she's alone" I looked back at Ana.
"Yeah, Sharon seems like good people. She must be serious to make a play and risk their friendship" She looked back at the Chief.
"Is there anything we can do to help" I shook my head sadly.
"Maura and I had a discussion about this last night. We decided to let it take its course, if a chance comes up we'll be supportive, but really the balls in their court" Ana grimaced.
"Well let's hope it doesn't take forever" I sighed.
"Hell yeah, we know all about that. We both felt the same way, but our fears held us back. We wasted so much time being friends when we could have, should have been much more" Ana looked at me and smiled, her voice turning upbeat.
"Well you got there in the end. We know Sharon wants Brenda, but is it reciprocated?"
"They're friends; look, Brenda works back almost every night, the only exceptions are either when she's having coffee with Sharon or having post-case drinks at O'Malley's. She eats lunch at her desk and doesn't seem to have much of a life outside work since her marriage failed. She deserves the chance to be happy and Sharon seems to want to give her that" Ana nodded, her eyes on the Chief in her office.
"Natalie and I discussed it as well last night…"
"And?"
"Well, you know Nat, she's all for dragging them to a cabin in the woods and locking them in until they end up at it like rabbits but hey, she's the impetuous one" I groaned, which Ana ignored as she continued. "I convinced her that we should at least give them a chance to make their minds up"
"Good call"
"Thank you. Anyway, Nat wants to invite them both over for dinner but I told her that might be a bit obvious, so expect an invite as well"
"Oh, so we're camouflage eh?"
"Pretty much"
"Oh well, as long as you're cooking, that's ok. No offence but from what you've told me Natalie's cooking isn't amongst the numerous reasons you keep her around" She grinned.
"No, she has other talents I value rather higher" "I gave her the look.
"Well duh, thank you Captain Obvious" She snickered.
"Although I do wonder what hidden talents you have that keeps convincing Maura your worth having around"
"Hey! I can cook thank you"
"Your one saving grace"
"I'll have you know I have lots of talents that Maura appreciates"
"Is a six inch long prehensile tongue one of them? That's the only reason I'd keep you around"
"Ana! That's gross"
Just think about the benefits Jane, I'm sure Maura would love it" I rolled my eyes at her.
"I told you before, I'm immune, Nat does that so much better"
"Oh, so that's why you keep her around then?"
"Amongst other, more interesting reasons"
"I'm sure" Ana's eyes flicked back to the Chief's office, her phone had rung and she was chatting to someone.
"I bet that's Sharon calling now, look at that smile" I looked up to see Brenda was indeed smiling happily.
"No bet, I don't like losing remember?"
"I do. So what do we do about her and Sharon?"
"Nothing for the moment, let's give them some time and space, they'll proceed at their own pace anyway" I watched as Brenda put the phone down and went back to her paperwork, favouring it with a smile that it didn't warrant.
"So we'll have to wait and see"
"Yep, besides, they may surprise us"
"Maybe"