Title: Boundaries"
author: Cindy Ryan
pairings: LaSalle/Brody
timeline: AU of 1x14
notes: not connected to my other stories
summary: What if Hackett hadn't been the only agent shot? How will this change things for Merri and Chris?

In law enforcement officer down calls were as bad as it got. The risk came with the badge but still when the call came in it was one everyone dreaded. The goal of every station house no matter where was to have every officer go home safe at the end of their shift. The cold reality of the job was that didn't always happen.

Chris LaSalle knew his parter had fought to be on this protection detail. She'd had her past dug out and hung up for all to see the past week. In turn some of the Navy brass hadn't thought Merri was fit for that particular duty. In the end King had backed her and Merri had been approved.

Now as Chris and Pride manuvered through the chaos of the courthouse shooting Chris was praying it hadn't been a mistake. They had tried to contact Merri on the way with no success. Even radio calls weren't being returned. NOPD hadn't yet arrived on the scene. Details were raw and sketchy. Two agents down and a frightened crowd trying to get out of the way of a sniper. Chris frantically scanned the front steps for his partner. He knew the escort had just arrived and had started towards the courthouse. That much intel had made it through the madness.

"Brody!"Chris shouted his voice barely heard over the crowd that the NOPD was just starting to get under control.

Pride had found the first agent by the bottom of the steps. Dead before help could arrive. Chris didn't know the agent but that didn't make things any better. And it made him more scared for his partner. Five long minutes later Chris found Merri and his heart stopped. His partner's still form was in a small alcove just inside the right wall at the top of the stairs. Chris immeaditely crouched next to Merri gently turning her onto her back. It was clear the bullet had missed her vest. The top part of her shirt that was visible above the protective material was soaked with blood. Chris's right hand felt for a pulse and found a weak thready one.

"Thank God."Chris whispered as he yanked his radio to his mouth."This is LaSalle I need medics top of the stairs. Agent down!"

Chris whipped off his light black jacket and pressed it against his partner's wound as a compress. Even through the crowd noice Chris could hear running footsteps coming their way.

"Hang in there, Merri."Chris pleaded quietly. 'Help's comin'. Stay with me."

The paramedics and Pride arrived and Chris reluctantly stepped away. He could only watch helplessly as Merri was loaded onto a gunery and then taken down to the waiting ambulance. Dwayne placed a brief supportive hand on Chris's right shoulder before the two men quietly left.


Chris LaSalle knew when to draw boundraies he just hadn't realized he'd done so with Merri until it was almost too late. Having someone you care about be hurt or sick was always an eye opener. Having Merri's blood on his hands and clothes was the shock Chris had needed to realize how fast and hard he'd fallen for his partner. Now as he sat in the ER waiting room with King Chris wasn't sure what he'd do if she didn't make it.

"You did all you could, Christopher."Pride said quietly.

"I should've been there to start with."Chris snapped."Protection details are always a crap shoot.:"

"Merri knew what she was doing. Can't always see a sniper."Dwayne replied.

"Agents Pride and LaSalle?"A brown haired middle aged nurse asked as she entered the room.

"Yes."Pride acknowledged as he and Chris stood. "How is she?"

"Dr. Hamilton will update you."The nurse explained as she turned. "This way please."

Chris exchanged a worried look with his boss. They had no choice but to follow and wait for a few more agnoizing minutes for news.

Dr. Cheryl Hamilton was in her mid-thirties with short cut blonde hair, glasses and a petite figure. She stood as Chris and Dwayne entered her small office.

"Agents, I'm Dr. Hamilton. I thought we'd be more comfortable here."Hamilton began as she gestured for Chris and Dwayne to take a seat.

"Is she alive?"Chris demanded his voice strained and near breaking.

Hamilton took in the blood on Chris's clothes and skin in one glance before she nodded.

"Yes Agent Brody is in recovery."Hamilton replied.

"But she's not doin' well."Pride surmised as he and Chris sat in the visitor's chairs.

"I'm afraid due to the blood loss Agent Brody has slipped into a coma."Hamilton explained.

"Damn."Chris swore as he slumped in his chair.

"I want to assure you the surgery was a success."Dr. Hamilton continued. "Even with the bullet's tricky position near the left side of Agent Brody's heart we were able to remove it. The human body can endure a lot. Agent Brody is young and healthy and I am confident she will make a full recovery."

"Thank you, Doctor."Pride commented with a tired smile.

"Can we see her?"Chris asked as he and Pride stood.

"Yes but for a short time."Hamilton replied with a nod. "I'll have Nurse Colleen show you where Agent Brody's room is."

Chris nodded and left with King close behind him. He felt exhausted almost to the point of being numb. His thoughts were spinning in every direction. He knew he wouldn't be able to truly process anything until he had some solid sleep. Chris had a feeling sleep wasn't going to come for awhile. Even then he was sure nightmares would plague him.


"I'm headin' back. Don't worry about coming back in for what's left of the day."Pride instructed ten minutes later after he stepped out of Merri's room. "Take care of your partner."

"They're gonna need our help catching this bastard."Chris stated as he closed the door of Merri's room behind him.

"We've been ordered off it."Dwayne said quietly.

"By who?"Chris demanded angerily.

"High as it comes, Christopher. She's one of our own. We're too close."Pride explained.

"That' means we won't mess up.I want this guy."Chris stated his voice rising.

"Believe me so do I."Dwayne replied quietly placing a calming hand on Chris's right shoulder."My arguments didn't go over well. Director Vance thinks he's protecting NCIS."

"By abandoning one of it's own."Chris commented bitterly.

"NOPD has the lead on this and JAG has been invited in."Dwayne continued."I need you at full strength, Christopher and so does Merri. Get some rest tonight even if it's on the waiting room sofa, understood?"

Chris nodded tiredly as he watched his boss leave. Vance may think he was sitting this one out but there was no way Chris could. Even if it cost him his career. After a moment Chris turned and went back into Merri's room.

In the half hour Chris had been sitting at his partner's bedisde everything about the day's events began to sink in. He'd known Meredith Brody for just over a year and as corny as it was he couldn't picture his life without her. When she got better Chris knew he'd have to tell her how he felt. It would change everything especially if she didn't feel the same. However Chris's instincts were telling him that she just might having put up boundaries like he did. Taking Merri's right hand in his Chris squeezed it as he leaned forward. Tenderly he pushed Merri's bangs away from her forehead.

"I'm gonna have to leave soon. They don't want me tiring you out."Chris stated his voice echoing slightly in the quiet room. "I'll be back first thing in the morning. I need you to concentrate on getting' better. I like having you as a partner."

After several long minutes passed Chris released Merri's hand and stood. He walked to the door pausing long enough to look at Merri's still form before he left.


It'd been a busy forty-eight hours since Merri's shooting. There had been an arrest but Pride had told Chris it had fallen through. Being off the case they were getting information after it happened. Long after leads had gone cold. It had been a busy two days for Chris and Dwayne. Unfortunately life and crime didn't stop just because your office was short handed. They had a new case of a hit and run where a petty officer was the victim. Plus a case was going to trial that needed King's testimony. Chris knew he needed to tell his boss and mentor that the NCIS team was going to change. As much as he oved his job Chris knew he couldn't stay partners with Merri military regs being what they were. Still Chris had held off wanting to know how Merri' felt. She had yet to awaken but Dr. Hamilton had assured them Merri was making progress. So after lunch that day Chris had twenty minutes free and decided to track down Loretta.

"How many coffees do I buy before you tell me why we're here?"Dr. Loretta Wade asked with a smile.

Chris sighed and ran a hand through his short dark hair.

"I don't know where to start."LaSalle admitted.

"A week ago I would guess this was about your brother."Loretta began as she sat back in her chair at the sidewalk cafe."But I know you're worried about Merri."

"I am but I need your advice on somethin' else."Chris said as he absently turned the coffee cup around in his hands.

"Always happen to lend an ear."Loretta prompted.

"I realized that..."Chris began then broke off.

Loretta reached over and lightly placed her right hand on Chris's left shoulder.

"I know Merri being comatose is scary."Loretta stated softly."I talked with her doctor and all of Merri's tests and labs are looking good."

"I think I'm in love with my partner, Loretta."Chris confessed in a rush.

"Don't act like you just confessed a crime, Christopher."Loretta admonished gently."Love is a good thing."

"Not always."Chris replied feeling relieved he had told someone."Especially if it creates more problems."

"You don't think she feels the same?"Loretta asked.

"I think she does but she's made clear her feelings on work relationships. But I can't let this sit, Loretta. I have to tell her and deal with the fall out."Chris commented as he took a sip of coffee.

"Would you transfer?"Loretta inquired.

"I'd have to. Regs don't look kindly on relationships. King's not going to be happy."Chris stated glumly.

"He'd be happy for the two of you but he won't be happy to lose a good team."Loretta agreed.

Chris's cell buzzed and he took it out of his pocket. He quickly read the text and put the phone away.

"I gotta go."Chris explained as he stood and placed a hand on Loretta's right shoulder."Thanks for listenin'."

"It'll work out, Chris."Loretta replied with a smile. "If love is meant to be it'll find a way."

"Yeah, maybe."LaSalle stated doubtfully. "See you later."


With the court on a lunch break Dwayne stepped outside to check his messages. He frowned seeing a missed call from Merri's doctor. There was a waiting voicemail and Pride pulled it up and listened hoping for the best.

"Agent Pride, it's Dr. Hamilton at St. Anne's. I'm happy to give you some good news for a change. Agent Brody has been showing signs of waking. I'll be in my office until six if you have any questions."

Dwayne leaned back against the wall letting relief wash over him. The last two days had been long tough ones. He'd always thought of his team as family and not knowing if one was going to pull through had been as hard as it got. After a moment Dwayne cleared the screen of his phone and hit Chris's speed dial. Merri had been a good influence on Chris and one of the best teams Pride had ever worked with. He knew Chris would be estactic to see his partner awake and on the mend.


Chris arrived at the hospital to find his boss had beat him there. Pride was standing outside the room Chris had been told Merri was now in.

"They just moved her and are checkin' vitals and such. She's not awake yet."Pride explained to Chris's unasked quesiton.

"I'm just glad she's doin' better."Chris said quietly.

Dwayne studied the younger agent. He knew Chris had been stressed lately particualarly about his brother. Combine that with having a partner shot...

"You okay?"Pride asked.

Chris didn't quite meet Dwayne's gaze.

"Yeah, just been a lot lately. She's okay that's all that matters."Chris responded his gaze fixed on Merri's hospital room.

Dwayne saw the dodge but didn't press. He knew Chris would talk when he was ready.

"Looks like we can go in now."Dwayne said as he saw the nurses leave.

Silently the two men entered their colleague's room.


Pride had left twenty minutes later the trial needing him back. Chris stayed watching the monitors hooked up to Merri. He found the noise of the heart monitor comforting. Over the time Chris had been there he had seen what the medical staff had. Every once in awhile one of Merri's hands twitched. Chris now took Merri's right hand in his and squeezed it.

"I know you can hear me, Merri and I know you need your rest."Chris began in a hoarse voice."But I need you to wake up; just for a little while. Let me see those pretty eyes."

If this had been a Hollywood movie Merri would've opened her eyes on Chris's cue. But unfortunately it was real life. Chris waited hopefully for another half hour and was rewarded. Slowly Merri's eyes opened as if that single motion had taken a lot of strength.

"Merri?"Chris prompted.

"Chris?"Merri replied as she blinked and turned to the sound of his voice. "What happened?"

"You were shot but you're gonna be just fine."Chris explained relief clear in his voice. "Had us scared for a bit."

"Shot?"Merri repeated and then her eyes widened in alarm. "The admiral!"

"He's fine."Chris soothed. "You did good Merri."

Merri releaxed back against the pillow and Chris hit the call button for the nurses. Chris hadn't realized how worried he'd been until he'd heard his partner's voice again. Just the simple act of a conversation was one of the best things to happen to Chris LaSalle in a long time. Merri was going to be okay and as Loretta said everything else would work itself out. Chris just had to find the courage to let that happen.