A conversation between Brass and Sofia after "A Bullet Runs Through It."

I got to thinking; after Sofia learned she didn't kill Officer Bell in the shootout, I didn't remember much more interaction between her and Brass. So I wrote this fic. Please leave me a review.

I don't own CSI.

Jim Brass didn't expect to be comforted by Officer Bell's widow, and he really didn't expect forgiveness. But he had apologized to Mrs. Bell, and she hugged him and told the detective that she knew it wasn't his fault. Both of them just held each other and cried for several moments.

When they broke apart, Mrs. Bell told him she forgave him. While Jim didn't feel the entire weight had been lifted from his shoulders, he felt it was at least more bearable.

"Don't...don't worry about what anyone else says," Mrs. Bell told Jim. "I do know it wasn't your fault. I-it doesn't make it hurt any less, but I know it wasn't your fault."

More tears escaped Jim's eyes. A quiet, "thank you," was all he could manage.

Mrs. Bell squeezed Jim's shoulders as the police officers and various family members who were there looked on. They knew what Mrs. Bell did took more bravery than any cop who was on the force had.

Jim thanked the young widow again and turned to leave. As he walked out the front door, he saw Sofia Curtis standing by her car.

Rubbing a hand across his face to try to erase the evidence of his tears, Jim stared at the detective. "I thought you left."

Sofia held Jim's gaze and gave him a weak smile. "I thought you could use backup."

Jim smiled sadly as he walked towards Sofia. "Thank you."

Sighing, Sofia said, "Before I left, I saw what happened."

Jim sighed. He knew it wasn't his fault that he had killed Officer Bell in the shootout, but it still didn't make him feel any less responsible. "Sh-she forgave me."

Sofia nodded. "You know, when I thought I had..."

"Sofia..."

"No, Jim. You told me it wasn't my fault. That a lot of stuff was going on in that shootout." Placing her hand on Jim's shoulder, Sofia looked into his weary eyes. "You were right."

Jim looked away. "So much happened...so much I-I wish I could change about that..."

"But you can't," Sofia said, giving his shoulder a gentle squeeze. "There was no time to-to second guess anything. We all did what we had to do."

Sighing, Jim knew Sofia and Mrs. Bell were both right. It was, ultimately, the fault of the thugs who had began the shootout in the first place. And no matter how many times both Jim and Sofia wanted to go back and change anything, Officer Bell would probably still be killed.

Holding Sofia's concerned gaze, Jim said, "I meant what I said to you."

"I know," Sofia said, releasing his shoulder. "And...you were right."

Jim smiled softly at his colleague and friend. Both of them knew there was nothing they could have done differently, and there was nothing that could take away the sting of what happened. But knowing that Mrs. Bell forgave Jim and wanted to move on meant that healing could begin, however slow that might be.

"Stupid question, but are you going to be okay?"

Jim smiled and nodded. "Eventually. Let's, uh...let's just say I'm healing."

Sofia smiled softly. Jim had been her friend and mentor ever since she made detective. He had been there for her when she thought her actions had led to Bell's death. Now she was there for him.

"You know," Sofia said, "I could use a beer, or maybe a cup of coffee. Care to join me?"

With a small smile, Jim said, "Sure."

The End.