Brenda sat at her desk, staring at Pope and Delk. She'd already handed her weapon over to Sharon, and now she felt like she was facing a firing squad. She let the heel of her shoe dangle loosely, as she bobbed her crossed legs, and kept silent, waiting for them to speak first.

"You know, Chief Johnson, one thing I find interesting, is that in all accounts, there was a DVD. Apparently a manifesto of some sort. And yet the Crime Scene techs never logged it into evidence." Delk's tone was different. Gone was the amiable rapport they'd had the day before.

"I'm sure it'll turn up. It's probably under a car, or something. Things were kind of crazy there at the end." She replied nonchalantly, even as she felt the pull of the offending disc in her drawer. She would not let that crazy man's ranting drivel become public.

"Well," Pope shifted uncomfortably in his chair, as he recognized the look passing over Brenda's face, "it's probably for the best that it hasn't turned up. The news stations would run it ad nauseum, and some other mentally instable lunatic would take up the charge."

"Mmm." Brenda realized she was mimicking the sound Sharon made. "I suppose you're right on that. Hadn't thought about it."

She glanced up as the door to her office opened, and Taylor poked his head in.

"Excuse me, I'm sorry. Chief, the Mayor wants to speak with you." As Brenda stood, surprised, his face fell. "Sorry, Chief Johnson. The Mayor wants to see Chief Delk." He shot her a sympathetic look, but followed Delk into the hall.

Pope gave her a hard look. "You okay?" He asked.

"Yes, yes. I'm fine. I just need a minute to myself, okay? Thank you so much." She smiled, though it looked more like a grimace.

"All right then. You know the announcement will be in about half an hour, soon as they gather the vultures, I mean the press." He continued.

"I know. I'll be there with the team" She nodded, as he walked towards the door.

"If you need anything…"He trailed off.

"I'm fine. Thank you."

As he left, he shut the door behind him. Brenda stared at the drawer that held the offending disc, and then at her phone. She reached for the phone, and dialed the number that had become so familiar, she didn't even have to think about it.

"FID. Raydor." Sharon intoned, her voice distracted.

"It's Delk." Was all Brenda could muster.

"Damn." Sharon replied. "I was really looking forward to sleeping my way to the top."

Brenda laughed in spite of herself. "I don't even know why I'm upset. I didn't really want it."

"You like to win. It stings. We both know you'd be the better man for the job, but it's hard to appoint a chief who's involved in a fatal shooting, no matter how justified the shooting was. Speaking of which, when can we do your OIS interview?" Sharon was more focused on the conversation now.

"After they make the announcement. I'm going to watch the coverage with my team. I think they need that. Maybe I'll hand out Ding Dongs to everyone, soften the blow." She replied.

"Save one for me. And I'm sorry. But it does make things less complicated, regarding this." Sharon found the silver lining.

"That's true. Delk doesn't seem pleased. I hope you have the rule book memorized, because I'm counting on you being our defense. Lord knows I don't really pay attention to that sort of thing."

"Truer words were never spoken, Chief. We'll be okay. When's your BS interview?"

"This afternoon. Any tips?"

"Brenda…"

"I know. I'll see you after they make the announcement."

"All right. Good bye."

"Good bye. I uhm…I'll bring you a Ding Dong." Brenda hung up the phone quickly, her cheeks flushed red at her almost slip. Irrational as it was, she was terrified that admitting the depth of her feelings to the Captain would only ruin things. She heaved a sigh, and yanked open her candy drawer. The tiny silver disc shone up at her, defiant. She took it out of it's clear plastic case, and snapped it into two pieces. Then she threw the whole lot in the trash, tossing some paper on top. She grabbed enough Ding Dongs for her team, plus one more, and dumped them into her tote, and walked to the conference room, where Buzz had set up the TV. Everyone was already there, and she passed out the confections with a wry smile, before plopping into a chair and sinking into herself, noticing that thanks to their longer-than-necessary good bye kiss, her blazer smelled like Sharon. She breathed in the comfort that brought.

As they watched the Mayor clap Delk on the back, Brenda felt the waves of sympathy washing over her. Gabriel laid a hand on her shoulder, and she looked up, meeting his gaze.

"You all right?" He asked softly.

"Maybe I'm a little disappointed. Maybe I'm a little relieved. I never know." She replied in a rare moment of honesty.

"But, you don't get ahead politically by shooting dirtbags." Flynn piped up, giving her a crooked smile.

"Well, I for one, am glad she took the shot, even though my ears are still ringing." Gabriel chuckled, darkly.

"Whatever else, yesterday was a hell of a day." Pope said softly. "And if anybody needs me, I'm going to be in my office, typing up my resume." He turned and walked out of the room.

"You really think they'll get rid of him?" Sanchez asked.

"After what you did for him yesterday, it's doubtful. But who knows. It's politics." Provenza scoffed.

"I didn't do anything any of y'all wouldn't have done. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to my FID interview. Wish me luck."

"I'm guessing you don't really need luck. Even the new Chief knows that was a clean shot. I'm sure Captain Raydor will agree." Gabriel's eyes twinkled, and Brenda couldn't help but smile in return. She nodded to the rest of her team, and strode towards the elevator.