"Hey, Brass," Sara murmured, without looking up from the microscope.

"Hey, Sara. What are you still doing here?"

"Unofficial overtime. Probably unpaid," she replied with a tired smile.

"Overworked and underappreciated, huh?"

"Something like that." She pulled her eyes away from the evidence she had been examining and pushed herself, in her chair, over to the computer. "Anyway, what can I do for you?"

"I was actually going to offer you a lift home."

Sara smiled gratefully but shook her head. "I'm fine, honestly."

"I've got to visit a witness and I'm going that way anyway."

"I really should finish up here."

"You'll be back for the next shift before you know it. Besides, as you're not being paid…" He trailed off with a small smile as he saw Sara cave in.

"Thanks, just give me a minute."

I I I I I

A few minutes later Sara and Brass were driving through the busy streets of Las Vegas with the car windows down as far as they would go.

"This is some heat," Sara commented.

Brass glanced at the dashboard. "It's just pushing ninty. We've known worse."

"I think I blank out the hottest days. I always imagine it can't get much worse that this."

"Lightweight," Brass joked.

"I spent too much time on the East Coast, that's all."

"I will admit I would be happier myself had the air conditioning in this car not packed up," Brass confessed. "Not least because the breeze through these windows wreaks havoc with my hair."

Sara laughed and stared out at the crowds of tourists wandering the streets. Some had handheld electric fans or bottles of water. Others were making futile attempts to cool themselves with makeshift fans; maps, leaflets, guidebooks and magazines. She even noticed one man struggling desperately to create a breeze using one of his own shoes. Las Vegas was an eccentric city and eccentric places attracted eccentric people. Lord knows, some of the cases they had seen proved that.

The sound of Brass' radio fizzing and crackling brought Sara's attention back to the car. A voice sounded very distant and Sara could only make out a few words.

"Give it a whack," Brass instructed. "It can be a bit temperamental at times." Sara did this and instantly the reception was clearer, but the man had just stopped talking.

"Shall I?" she asked.

"Go ahead."

She picked up the radio and requested a repeat.

"Can you confirm your location?" asked the voice through the radio. Sara did this.

"Is this Captain Brass' radio?"

It's me, Larry," Brass called out. "What can we do for you?"

"We got some joy-riders just round the corner from you. Thought you might want to get you some rowdy teenagers."

Brass turned to Sara. "What do you think?"

Sara smiled. "A good old fashioned police chase? Why not?"

I I I I I

Grissom was poring over some books when Catherine knocked on the door and cautiously walked in.

"Am I disturbing anything?" she asked.

"Nothing that can't wait," Grissom replied, shutting the book he had been studying and looking up at her.

"Have you seen Sara?"

He glanced at his watch. "Her shift's over."

"But she mentioned doing overtime."

"Sorry – I don't know."

"Can I give you this then?" She held out a file. "There were a couple of things that needed checking. I though Sara could do it, but –"

Grissom took it. "I'll deal with it."

"Thanks."

As Catherine left the room Grissom began to flick through the file. After a few moments he picked up the phone and called a number he had on speed dial. When the call was answered he could hear the sound of sirens at the other end, close in the background.

"Grissom?" Sara's voice was barely audible over the surrounding noise.

"Sara? I can hardly hear you."

"This isn't really the best time."

"Where are you?"

"I'm with Brass," Sara yelled as the background sounds seemed to increase in intensity.

"Why?"

"Can this wait?"

"Catherine thought you were doing overtime."

"I was, but Brass offered me a lift home."

"He put the sirens on to take you home?"

"No, Grissom." Sara sounded frustrated now and Grissom suddenly felt embarrassed by his interrogation. It was outside working hours so how was Sara's journey home anything to do with him? "Can I get back to you?" she asked.

Grissom was about to agree and apologise when he heard Brass' voice crying out in the background. "Shit! Sara get down!"

"Sara?" Grissom shouted down the phone. But she did not reply. Instead he heard the sound of gunshots, followed by screaming. Then the line went dead.

I I I I I

Sara ended the call as she lowered her head beneath the level of the windscreen. "Brass?" she cried out. "What the hell's going on?" She could hear the screech of brakes as cars tried to get out of the way of the car chase, people screaming each time a shot rang out.

"Stupid kids," Brass spat.

"Kids with guns?"

"Don't sound so surprised."

The car made a sudden jerk to the left. Sara's stomach turned upside down. She wished she had her gun with her; she would show these kids the consequences of firing at her on her way home. A new round of shots rang out.

"Get down, Sara!" Brass yelled again, steering madly to keep on the road behind the joy-riders whilst avoiding other traffic and petrified pedestrians.

All of a sudden Sara lost the confidence her anger had given her and felt scared. It was a horrible feeling to be totally dependant on someone else, albeit it someone she trusted like Brass. She was used to being in control in every situation.

"Is it worth it, Brass? They're stupid kids!" She raised her head slightly. On seeing the determination on Brass' eyes, wide and focused on the road ahead, she realised the futility of her words.

"Down, Sara!"

She placed her head between her legs, imitating the brace position. If it was good for plane crashes maybe it would work for high speed police chases. Catching sight of a sweet wrapper on the car floor she decided to focus on it.

It had red and white stripes.

She heard the sound of another gunshot.

It was slightly torn.

The car swerved dramatically to the left.

It looked like a peppermint wrapper.

Screaming as the car bounced dangerously onto one side.

Sara could really murder a peppermint right now.

The car bounced once more upside down, then onto its other side before turning nearly upright again.

Sara had no more thoughts about the sweet wrapper. Or anything.