Agency Liaisons
Title: Agency Liaisons
Rating: T
Fandom/Pairing: The Closer; Raydor/Johnson
Word Count: 2,646
Author’s Note: Set after the end of The Closer.
This story was written especially for outuendo_11 on the occasion of her graduation. Congratulations Hun! Now take a break before you begin again!
Disclaimer: It all belongs to James Duff and the people at TNT. No copyright infringement intended. Thanks for letting me play.
“Oh Captain! I …I mean Commander. What are you doing here?”
Sharon’s face split into a grin as former Deputy-Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson’s flailing surprise shifted to blunt territorialism.
“Someone set the precedent for Major Crimes to be part of Los Angeles’ counter terrorism taskforce.” Her gaze was narrowed at the petite blonde standing before her, clinging to the large black bag under her arm. “I’m here to maintain my qualifications as a division head.”
“Oh.” Sharon continued to smirk at the woman who was so seldom rendered speechless.
Deciding to give her a break, Sharon continued, “I saw your name as a session-lead. Liaising with Federal Agencies on Suspected Terrorist Cases.” Sharon’s quirked brow conveyed her amusement at the fact Brenda Leigh was going to be educating state and local law enforcement officers on a skill she had blatantly disregarded throughout her own career in the LAPD.
The chuckle came unbidden from Brenda’s lips. She should be annoyed at the implication in Sharon’s tone but the woman was right, after all.
“Yes, well, I do that now. Work well with others, that is.” Sharon’s brow rose higher in disbelief. “Better, I mean…then before. When I want to,” Brenda huffed. “Of for heavens sake!”
Sharon laughed warmly, her head tossed back and her gaze alight with the concession that perhaps Brenda Leigh Johnson could change. Just a bit.
“Will you come?” Brenda’s gaze was somber and desperate and it brought Sharon’s mood quickly under control. “To my session?”
“I had considered it.” Sharon paused before continuing, giving Brenda a moment to wonder how this woman could still manage to throw her so incredibly off-kilter. “Would you like me to?”
“I, well…you know…it might be informative.” Sharon was beginning to smirk again. “Goodness, I’m not twisting your arm or anything! Come if you’d like. Or not. I don’t care.”
There was the defensive posture Sharon was so used to.
“Of course,” she said with a soft grin.
“Of course what?”
“Of course I’ll come…to be informed.” Sharon winked. She actually winked. Brenda sighed audibly.
“Well then. I’ll just see you later. It was so nice to see you again, Commander,” Brenda drawled as she turned and disappeared in the crowd.
ooOoo
The session was informative. Sharon had planned on attending the moment she’d seen Brenda Leigh’s name listed in the schedule of session leaders for the statewide interagency training conference. If Sharon were honest with herself, she would have attended sessions led by Brenda all day long if it wouldn’t have raised eyebrows amidst her colleagues.
Brenda Leigh Johnson was an expert, after all. Sharon had learned enough throughout the Goldman debacle to know there was more to the Deputy Chief’s skills than the LAPD regularly put to use. She hadn’t been the least bit surprised when Brenda had been recruited back to D.C. by the State Department shortly after the tumultuous case had been settled. She had been surprised when Brenda had left her husband in the process.
Sharon had always believed Chief Johnson and Agent Howard’s marriage was picture perfect, or as close as marriage came to that these days. The two were openly affectionate and she had seen the lengths to which Fritz had supported Brenda throughout the lawsuit. But in the past year, Sharon had gotten to know Fritz quite well through their new professional relationship and she had learned enough about Brenda Leigh’s self-absorbed, work-obsessed personality that she shouldn’t currently be ogling the woman as her southern drawl echoed through the bland conference room. She was crazy to be thinking about Brenda Leigh in this way.
Sharon sat quietly through the session; listening to Brenda Leigh’s lecture while further back in her mind, she entertained fantasies her conscious mind was loath to acknowledge. She didn’t raise her hand or draw attention to herself but Brenda Leigh managed to make eye contact with her far more than was appropriate given the size of the audience and typical standards for public speakers.
Sharon didn’t line up to join the throng of admirers that surrounded Brenda after the session, either. She far preferred having Brenda alone for any questions she was burning to ask.
ooOoo
Backing up a food line, Brenda’s eyes roamed the crowded atrium. She found the Commander lounging comfortably in a patio chair, munching a green salad, while seemingly in a deeply amusing conversation with five men.
Brenda tried to squelch the pang of jealousy that clenched her abdomen. She was being ridiculous. After the way she’d treated Sharon Raydor over the years, she had no right to hope the subtle flirting from earlier and distracting scrutiny during her session meant anything more than…than what? Why would Sharon Raydor flirt with her? Brenda knew Raydor didn’t act that way with just anyone, though the way she was currently carrying on with those suits wasn’t evidence in Brenda’s favor. No, it wasn’t possible that Sharon Raydor, lover of women or not, could possibly consider Brenda Leigh a catch.
Appetite ruined, Brenda absentmindedly grabbed a diet coke and a bag of pretzels before joining the periphery of an overly pretentious circle of federal agents and stewing in her melancholy.
ooOoo
Sharon paused just inside the entrance to the hotel bar, seeing a red dress that would live forever in her fondest memories. Sharon briefly wondered if Brenda wore it to all her professional conventions. The thought made Sharon unreasonably hot in the overly air-conditioned room.
By the time Sharon had sufficiently charmed a group of agency partners at lunch, she’d known she had missed her chance to catch up with her former colleague. She’d discreetly searched the atrium for the petite blond, finding her looking rather bored among a group of FBI agents. Sharon considered attempting a rescue but decided a trip to the Ladies’ room to freshen up would be the safer choice. Looking at Brenda’s lithe form, perched on a bar stool, surrounded but alone, Sharon knew her earlier wisdom wasn’t going to do her any good tonight.
Recently showered to rid herself of the stale convention center feel and a day of sweaty hand-shakes, Sharon had slipped on a simple black knee-length dress. It wasn’t nearly as flashy as Brenda’s attire, but Sharon had packed for practicality and the v-neck, three-quarter sleeved, fitted pencil skirt dress easily translated to professional attire when needed. Of course, tonight she had paired it with her highest black stilettos, gold chandelier earrings, and twinkling bangles that gave her ensemble a touch of flirt.
The look seemed to have the desired effect as Brenda Leigh Johnson looked up from her glass of merlot, chocolate brown eyes traveling from head to toe, to head again before lighting into a grin and resting on Sharon’s pale green gaze.
Sharon felt a lick of flame in her belly when Brenda’s tongue darted out and the petite woman actually licked then gently bit her bottom lip.
Oh, this night was going to be memorable.
The brunette inhaled sharply; her eyes never left Brenda’s as she gracefully made her way toward the bar.
The room was crowded; the bar even more so. Brenda had managed to commandeer one stool and Sharon found herself quickly crushed between swarming bodies trying to get the bartenders attention and a muscular thigh encased in red. Sharon lifted her gaze from admiring said thigh just as she was pushed from behind. Knocked off-balance, Sharon reached out to brace her arms on the bar on either side of Brenda’s body. The effect was Sharon’s chest pressed firmly against Brenda’s side, her face tucked into blonde curls at the nape of Brenda’s neck.
For several moments, neither woman could move as the perpetrator yelled his drink order over Sharon’s head. The air between the women, what little there was, grew thick and moist.
Brenda managed to pull her head back and the two women were eye to eye.
“Hi.” Brenda said amusedly.
“Hi.” Sharon’s reply was a tad more breathless.
The conversation continued between their locked gazes, the air exchanged between their panted breaths, and the insistent pressure of Brenda’s hand at the dip of Sharon’s waist.
“Sharon,” Brenda seemed to whisper between them.
“Huh…what?” Sharon’s eyes snapped clear.
“I think you have a bit more space now,” Brenda was grinning. “Not that you have to move. I find I’m rather comfortable with our current arrangement. Though it may begin to raise a few eyebrows in a moment.” Now she was smirking.
Sharon was in trouble. It was increasingly clear that her desire for Brenda Leigh was reciprocated, at least in some small measure. And Brenda was no longer the one flailing and speechless.
The normally in-control Commander took a breath and assessed her current position and the surrounding patrons. Already a few glances were directed their way. Although two women like Brenda and Sharon would attract stares no matter how far apart they stood.
Nonetheless, Brenda was right, there was a bit more space free behind her now and Sharon stepped back, immediately missing the heat of Brenda’s body against hers.
“Can I get you a drink, Commander?” Brenda’s voice was smooth and sweet, just like the chocolate Sharon knew she loved.
“Yes, please. Oban Scotch. Neat.” Brenda turned toward the bar, easily getting the bartenders attention with her bright smile and lilting “woo hoo”. She felt Sharon shift behind her; close enough that Brenda’s entire frame tingled with warmth but without making any actual contact.
When the drink arrived and Brenda half-turned back toward Sharon, she saw a small space had opened beside her. Sharon worked her way in, gently putting pressure on Brenda’s thigh until the blonde widened her legs, creating space for Sharon to stand against the bar between her now-trembling knees.
She watched as Sharon took a slow, savoring sip of the single-malt scotch. Brenda appreciated her merlot but she didn’t think she’d ever seen someone as absorbed in the pleasure of taste as Sharon looked with her eyes closed and her lips slightly parted, sucking in the air that brought out the fruity palate of the scotch across her tongue. Brenda felt like a voyeur and wondered if this was how she looked eating a ding-dong.
“Is it really that good?” Sharon caught the desire flaring in Brenda’s eyes and offered her glass.
“Would you like to try?”
“Oh heavens no. One sip of that and I’d go home with just about anyone in here.” Brenda giggled nervously, seeing Sharon didn’t think that idea was such a bad one by the widening of her pupils.
“Oh I don’t think it would be just…anyone,” Brenda was almost appalled at the distinct desire in Sharon Raydor’s sultry tone. Had her voice always been that smooth?
Brenda was still staring at Sharon’s mouth, oblivious to the fact it was moving, when she felt Sharon’s fingers dig into her knee. Looking up, she saw a smile in Sharon’s eyes.
Brenda hummed, “What?”
“I was just saying how much I appreciated your session today. It was, indeed, informative.”
“Oh right. Yes. I’m so glad you were able to get something out of it.” Sharon’s hand was still on Brenda’s knee and the blonde was having a difficult time thinking straight.
“Did the State Department send you all the way to San Francisco for just one little session at a three-day conference?”
“Um…no. Well yes. Just the one session here. But I’m actually doing a bit of a tour through the state,” Brenda realized Sharon was serious about having a conversation and was slowly gathering her normal wits. “In addition to this conference, I’m doing visits to federal and state agencies up and down the coast. It seems my superiors think I’m good at charming the locals.” Brenda cringed at this last revelation.
“Don’t sell yourself short, Brenda Leigh. You’ve certainly charmed the LAPD representative at this convention.”
Brenda found herself feeling dazed again. “Well that’s quite fortunate. I’ll be going north first, to Sacramento, but I’m scheduled to do some meetings and trainings in Los Angeles at the end of the month.”
“Really? Well, I know you have quite a few connections in the city but should you find yourself needing an introduction during your visit, I do hope you’ll give me a call.”
“And if it’s an escape I need, instead?” Brenda felt bold. Sharon’s fingers were now rhythmically tracing circles and swirls just above her knee and her near empty glass of merlot had left her feeling more than a little happy. Or perhaps that was the energy radiating from the woman between her legs.
In any case, Brenda didn’t want to wait to until the end of the month to spend more time with Sharon Raydor. She had no intention of ending this night anywhere but in the brunette’s arms.
“An escape?” Sharon hummed and the sound sent sparks through Brenda’s body. “That could be arranged. Though, you know, we so seldom got along when we worked together before. It might be smart to use this opportunity to make sure we can spend a few hours together without someone getting hurt. Practice your expert advice on inter-agency liaisons.”
“Yes. That would be wise, Sharon.” Brenda drew out the woman’s name, letting it roll of her tongue sensuously. “Though perhaps this little experiment would be better executed somewhere we can actually hear one another speak? We wouldn’t want to risk miscommunication.” Brenda leaned in close to Sharon’s ear, giving credence to her observation on the noise level.
“Hm, yes. It is rather crowded here, isn’t it? I believe I know somewhere we could communicate more comfortably,” Sharon squeezed Brenda’s thigh, “ test our new accord.”
Brenda had abandoned her empty wine glass and now found one of her hands gripping the manicured hand pressing into her thigh and her other trailing up the silk material along Sharon’s side.
“And where would that be, Sharon?”
Sharon leaned in, her think mass of hair acting as a shield against any onlookers curious about the physical proximity between the two women. She paused and let a breath out along the soft skin below Brenda’s ear before teasing the delicate lobe with her lips and whispering, “My room.”
Brenda inhaled sharply. She reached for Sharon’s tumbler of Scotch, still halfway full, set it carelessly on the bar, and immediately began pushing away from her stool, eager to exit before Sharon changed her mind.
Having a bit more prudence, Sharon pressed her body against the blonde’s, keeping her in place. She ignored the woman’s bewildered look as she signaled for the bartender telling him to put their drinks on her room tab. He quickly handed Sharon Brenda’s credit card, which the brunette slipped into her own clutch before stepping back from the bar and pulling Brenda with her.
“Oh,” Brenda gasped. “I can’t believe I forgot that.”
Smirking over her shoulder, Sharon winked, “You had more important things on your mind, I think.” Sharon squeezed Brenda’s hand in her own, winked, and led the woman quickly through the crowded bar, to the lobby elevator.
“Good thing you have me here to look out for you, Brenda Leigh.” Sharon said as they waited for the elevator doors to open; the women’s hands still clasped together despite their public location.
“Yes, you are good at that, aren’t you, Sharon?” Brenda smiled as the elevator arrived and she pulled Sharon inside. “Have I told you lately how much I appreciate that about you?”
Sharon shook her head, “I don’t believe so, Brenda Leigh.” She pushed the button for her floor, the elevator doors closing, leaving the two women alone and far closer to one another than the space required.
Brenda took Sharon’s other hand, pulling their bodies flush, “Well let me say thank you, Sharon Raydor.” Brenda leaned in, her soft lips moving against the edge of Sharon’s mouth, “Thank you very much.”