Title: For Honor and Glory
Chapter 1/? Author: Brutal Howell E-Mail: brutal_howell@hotmail.com Category: Drama/Romance/Angst/General Pairing: Grissom/Original Character Summary: Grissom's in trouble and Brass is forced to call in the cavalry to help his friend. Spoiler: None. This is my first CSI fic. Just an idea I've been kicking around for a few days. Feedback: Yes, please. Good, bad or indifferent.let me have it. Disclaimer: Moira and the bad guys belong to me. Everyone else.I'm just borrowing. Sadly, I make no money on this. Just get a chance to have a little fun.
For Honor and Glory Chapter 1
By
Brutal Howell
"Grissom! Be realistic here!" Brass pleaded. Gil shook his head adamantly.
"No, Jim. I can't do my job if I'm tripping over your officers." He held a hand up before the other man could interrupt. "I don't know what you're getting so worked up about. You and I have both been threatened more times that we can count. And nothings ever come of it."
"We've never found four sets of footprints outside your windows either. So unless you've taken up a sudden interest in gardening.somebody's watching you." He was at his wits end. Grissom was not going to give on this. And if Brass hoped to keep his friend safe, he was going to have to call in a favor he never wanted to use. "All right, Gil. You win.for now. No police, I promise." The CSI nodded, satisfied that he could now do his job in peace. The second Grissom left his office, Jim picked up the phone and punched in the numbers he had hoped to forget.
Hello
"It's Jimmy. M, I need you."
I'll leave within the hour. I can be in Vegas by tomorrow afternoon the voice promised. Jim let out a sigh of relief, things would be better once M was here.
"I'll send everything to the secure box," he added before he heard the line go dead. He locked the door to his office and sat down at the computer. It took almost an hour to call up the necessary files to send. But M would be happier if she had all the information before she got here.
DUBLIN, IRELAND
Things must be pretty bad for Jimmy to call now. But Moira owed her cousin a debt that could never be repayed. She pulled out a cell phone as she began to pack.
"Paddy, get down to the airfield and get the plane ready. I'm leaving for Vegas tonight." She paused to wait for the inevitable question from the other end. "Yes, it's Jimmy. Pack the arsenal.throw in the three Sig-Sauers and the Sniper Rifle too. I know. If it wasn't going to be a battle, Jimmy wouldn't have called. Usual protocols apply - I'll wire the $500,000 to your account before I get to the airfield. See you in an hour." She ended the call and went to her laptop. After wiring the necessary monies to Paddy's account, she packed the computer as well. Half a million might seem like a lot to some people, but when you're talking about life and death - only the best will do. She would need the technological wizard to be her eyes and ears once she got to Las Vegas. Moira had everything organized for a quick exit if need be - came in handy in her line of work. Within ten minutes, she was ready.'I sure hope you know what you're doing, Jimmy.' She thought, as she closed the door behind her.
PRIVATE AIRFIELD, LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
Moira was glad Brass had sent her the files. She was able to see all the players on the board before she stepped in to play. It also gave her a chance to forward the information to Paddy to see if the young man could get a lead from their own database. From what she read, Gil Grissom was an extremely intelligent man - who was very effective at catching criminals. In the last week, he had personally testified in nine cases that all had ties to international crime families. That was a very quick way to make enemies. What she couldn't figure out was, how the man could be one of the most brilliant CSI's in the world.yet foolish enough to turn down Jimmy's offer of protection. She was finishing her weapons check when the jet came to a complete stop. When she opened the door, she wasn't exactly surprised to find her cousin waiting with her Modified SUV. Brass looked at his watch as she came down the stairs.
"You're early.not that I'm complaining." He smiled at her. It had been six years since he had seen or talked to his cousin. She chuckled when she hugged him.
"It's been too long." She turned when her pilot began carrying cases to the SUV. "Make sure you get all five, Sean." Jim's eyes went wide at the mention of five cases. There were enough weapons in ONE of the damned things to give the LVPD a run for their money.
"You know something. Should I be preparing for a war?" he asked. Moira's "unofficial" channels could yield more answers than his. She gave him a sad smile.
"Paddy got word of a Contract put out on Mr. Grissom as of this morning. Pay out is fifteen million.dead OR alive. He hasn't been able to track down who supplied the funds, yet. But if it was important enough for you to call me; I'm not taking any chances." She explained. "I'm glad you brought the RV." Brass laughed at the idea of her referring to an Armor Plated SUV with bullet-proof and tinted windows as a recreational vehicle. The pilot finished loading her equipment and stood silently waiting for his next orders. "Thank you, Sean. I want you to lock things down here. There should be enough food and supplies on the jet for at least two weeks. If we're here any longer, you have Jimmy's number."
"Nice seeing you again, Mr. Brass," Sean said; before snapping to attention and returning to the plane.
"Some things never change. You're still too hard on that kid." He chided Moira.
"That 'kid' makes more in a month working for me.than you do in a year." Sean and Paddy were her only two employees. She took care of them AND their entire families. They had both worked for her since they were teenagers. Her generosity bought her their undying loyalties. It was worth every penny.both were good men.
"You're kidding, right?" He was floored when she shook her head. "How do you feel about hiring family?" he teased her. They started walking to the SUV. "Come on, let's get to the station before the graveyard shift starts."
LVPD - GRAVEYARD SHIFT
Greg Sanders was on his second pot of Jamaican Blue Mountain tonight. The only thing he had on his 'to do' list was a soil sample from a 401A for Warrick and Catherine. It took him less than a minute to load the spectrometer and he was a free man, again. He got up from the computer and headed for the break room. He got one step into the hall when he collided with Lt. Brass.
"Watch it, Sanders!" Jim growled. Greg was about to pick himself up off the floor when a hand appeared in front of his face. When he grabbed it, he was pulled to his feet.
"Uh..thanks." He looked up into the face of the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in his life. She was barely an inch shorter than him. Her long, thick brown hair was barely contained by the single clip she had in it. She was dressed to the nines in an emerald green pant suit that matched her eyes perfectly. "Wow!" he whistled in appreciation - before he thought about it. Greg flinched when he heard Brass growl at him.
"Don't you have some work to do, Sanders?" He thought the Lieutenant was going to hit him when he shook his head no. He was rescued by Warrick coming toward them.
"You got my test results, Greg?" Brass and the mystery woman chose this moment to make their escape. Greg's eyes followed her every step of the way. "Don't even think about it, my man." He warned the young technician. When Sanders looked at him with a questioning look, the CSI specified. "That woman, stay away from her. She's dangerous."
"What are you talking about?" Warrick turned the kid to where Brass and the woman seemed to be arguing.
"Count the bulges under the jacket. One under each arm.those are guns. One in the small of the back.my guess, also a gun. There is also a slight bulge on her right forearm. That one is longer, and narrower than the others.I'd put my money on knives there. And I'll bet a year's salary that she knows how to use each one of them quite well. You'd be dead before you knew what hit you." He was kind of curious as to what a woman like that was doing with Brass, though. He decided to save the curiosity for later. He had a case to finish. "Greg, my test results?" Warrick steered the young techneician back into the lab.
CRIME SCENE - 4 DAYS LATER
Moira had been shadowing Gil Grissom for four days, now. She had chased off half a dozen young mercenaries trying to make a name for themselves by bringing in the CSI's head. So far, he only had one habit that could potentially make her job harder - and he only did it when he was working a crime scene. Grissom would get so caught up in his work, that he would literally close out the rest of the world around him. It made him a good CSI, but it could be hazardous to one's health - if they had a target on their backs. She cringed when Brass called in the 419, with a location in the warehouse district. She followed the CSI crew to the scene and parked far enough away that she could still keep an eye on Grissom. She watched him give his crew their orders and then did the one thing that Moira was hoping he wouldn't do.he went to work on his own. And to make matters worse, he had ducked into an isolated part of the building. She cursed as she got out of the truck and headed his way. Her heart sank as she saw a face she recognized in an upstairs window of the warehouse. Grissom was walking into a trap! 'To hell with covert,' Moira thought. And she sprinted inside, hoping to reach him in time.
Gil Grissom had followed the trail of blood to the Southwest corner of an abandoned warehouse. There were spray patterns on the far wall. He set his case down and removed some swabs. He was about to take a sample when he heard a man call his name. When he turned, he felt the explosion of pain behind his eyes as something hit him in the side of the head. The force of the impact threw his glasses off his face and he fell to the ground. As he scrambled to get his gun out of its holster, he felt a couple of ribs break when the person kicked him. 'This is it,' Grissom thought. 'I'm going to die.'
Moira had circled around to the other side of the building. She ducked in a side entrance and quickly ran to intercept the threat to Gil Grissom. She heard the fighting before she actually entered the room. The assailant had the CSI on the ground gasping for air. She couldn't get to them before he could draw a gun to finish the job.so she did the next best thing. She took a direct intercept path that would place her between the shooter and Grissom. She arrived just as he was pulling the trigger. Her smaller size gave her an advantage as she came up under his arms and the bullet went into the ceiling. With his arms up, he was exposed - and Moira punched him in the throat as hard as she could. The shooter dropped his weapon in shock and fell to his hands and knees trying to get air through his bruised trachea. She gave him a quick kick to the head, effectively knocking him unconscious. She dragged the shooter over to the nearest pillar and cuffed him to it. She disarmed him completely and then ran to Grissom's side. The CSI had curled himself into a fetal position to protect against any more blows and was taking very short, shallow breaths. Moira was concerned that he might have a punctured lung. He had blood pooling in the dirt below his temple. He instinctively flinched and curled up tighter when she touched him.
"Mr. Grissom, I'm a friend. Jim Brass sent me to help you." She told him this, over and over. If he still didn't relax, she was going to have to hold him down. "Please, sir. I have to check your injuries."
It took a few seconds for Grissom to realize that the blows had stopped. He felt a gentle touch on his shoulder, and sensed the vibration of the person's voice. But he couldn't hear them over the ringing. The pain behind his eyes was the most intense he had ever felt. He couldn't have opened them, even if he wanted to. The biggest thing that was scaring him was that he was finding it more difficult to breathe. He heard the person yelling about something but his world was becoming fuzzier by the second.
Moira noticed that Grissom was beginning to lose consciousness. She felt for the location of his trachea, and cursed when it was slightly shifted to the right. She pulled out her cell phone and dialed 911. While she rattled off details to the dispatcher, she rolled the CSI onto his back and opened his shirt. When she heard no sounds over his left lung, she knew that he did indeed have a punctured lung. She gave her name, location and asked the dispatcher to call Jim Brass to their location as well. She pressed a handkerchief to his temple and tried to monitor his breathing and pulse. She took off her jacket and placed it behind his head.
"Where the hell is that ambulance!" she growled. "Come on, Grissom.stay with me." He was pale and diaphoretic, and his carotid pulse was racing. Moira knew he was going into shock. "Damnit!" Her head snapped toward the door when she heard a car skid to a stop outside. Brass and a woman she knew to be Catherine Willows came rushing through the door. "Jimmy, back here!" she called out. As the two got closer, she began to rattle off what she knew for sure. "He has a punctured left lung.if we can't do a needle decompression, he's going to die before the ambulance gets here." Catherine ran over to Grissom's kit and began rummaging through it.
"What do you need?" she asked.
"A needle, 12-16 gauge, if you have it. I need one latex glove, some scissors and some tape." When she brought the necessary things over, Moira explained what she needed them to do. "Miss Willows, cut one of the fingers off the latex glove for me. We need to use it as a flap on the catheter. Jimmy, rip off about 6 pieces of tape." She placed her fingers in the middle of Grissom's left clavicle. She counted down to the second intercostals space and reached for the needle that Catherine was holding out. She gently advanced the needle over the top of his rib and heard the hiss of air when it broke through into the pleural space. She breathed a sigh of relief when she heard the sirens nearby. "Good, now he can get some real help."
"I don't know, I think you did a great job. Look, some of his color's returning." Catherine complimented her. Moira felt his pulse, and it seemed to be returning to slightly more normal perameters. "Catherine Willows," she stuck her hand out and Moira shook it.
"Moira Kelly." She could tell from the look in the other woman's eyes that she knew exactly who and what she was. "Jimmy, your attacker is handcuffed to the post over there." She motioned with her head. "His name is Kevin Charger. He's a mercenary from California." As Brass went to tend to their prisoner, the Paramedics finally came through the door. He directed them to Grissom. Moira began rattling off the pertinent details, "Forty-Six year old male, 5 inch superficial scalp laceration. Broken ribs - possible flail segment - that punctured the left lung. Somebody kicked him. He's allergic to sulfa drugs." The Paramedic noted the needle already secured to the patient's chest.
"Who did this?" he asked. Catherine pointed at Moira. "Good job, you probably saved this man's life. You his wife?" She smiled and shook her head.
"Ah, no. I'm his bodyguard." The Paramedics loaded Grissom on to the stretcher and Moira and Catherine walked to the ambulance with them. "You ride in back with him. If he opens his eyes, it'll help to have a friendly face with him." When she went to step up into the ambulance, Moira grabbed her arm. "Do you have your gun?" Catherine nodded. "People will still come for him." She handed 3 magazines of ammo to her. "These are armor piercing rounds. Just keep him safe for about 40 minutes. I'll be along shortly." Catherine got in the ambulance and Moira shut the doors. She smacked the ambulance twice to signify that everyone was in and it was time to go. She returned to the warehouse with Brass.
When she came in, she noticed Jimmy crouched down talking to the guy. The man's eyes went wide with panic when he saw her.
"Irish! I didn't know you were on this contract?!" he stammered.
"I don't take these types of contracts, idiot." She crouched down and began searching for - and removing - all of the mercenary's weapons. "Murdering a scientist isn't exactly my idea of fun. Who put out the contract, Kevin?" He bit his lip trying not to answer, but the fear was clear in his eyes. Moira shook her head and sighed. "Who put out the contract on Gil Grissom?" She asked a bit louder. The mercenary's lip began trembling when she held the barrel of one of the Sig-Sauers to his knee. The man looked to Brass for help.
"You're a cop. For God's sake, you can't let her do this!" he begged. Jim made sure he had the younger man's undivided attention.
"That man you just tried to kill, is one of my best friends. I'd let her shoot you in the head, and then write it up as justifiable homicide." He wouldn't let it get that far, but there was no way he was going to let the other man know that. The mercenary began trembling. "You might want to answer her, I think she's about to get impatient." Brass pointed out.
"Michael! Michael Lee put out the contract!" the man yelled.
"Bullshit! Where the hell does a two-bit Chinese mobster get fifteen million dollars?" Moira had crossed Michael Lee before. He was a little dog, with more bark than bite. She pressed the barrel of the gun in harder.
"He's not bankrolling it, his brother-in-law is. I guess the guy has ties to Yakuza." The mercenary explained. "Before you shoot me, I don't know who he is." He breathed a sigh of relief when she put her gun away. She leaned forward and grabbed a handful of his hair.
"You are officially off this contract. You come within 10 miles of Gil Grissom and I will squash you like the bug that you are. Am I clear?" he tried to nod his head. "You're going to be my little messenger boy, Kevin. You go tell Michael Lee that I'm here. Spread the word, Grissom is under my protection now." She drew a knife and plunged it into the young man's thigh. It had a clover at the top - one of her calling cards. "Show them that, if they need proof." Moira took out a key and released the mercenary. "Go on, before I change my mind." The man struggled to his feet and limped to the door. Brass waited until he went out the door to talk to her.
"Why did you let him go?" he asked.
"Come on, Jimmy. You know as well as I do, he would have made bail by morning. And then you'd have never seen him again. He's more useful as a messenger." She explained as she withdrew her cell phone and dialed Paddy's number. She began to relay the information Kevin Charger had told them.
"And the significance of stabbing him in the leg?" he was kind of curious about that one. Moira shrugged her shoulders.
"Something I started about three years ago. No one would believe I'm here to protect a CSI.Grissom could never afford what I make. The clover in the handle of the knife I 'gave' Kevin will prove that I am." She replied. She put a hand up to stop any more questions while Paddy relayed the info she requested. Jim got a bit nervous when he saw some of the blood drain from her face. Moira closed her phone and put it back in her pocket.
"What? What's wrong?" he demanded.
"Michael Lee's brother-in-law is Victor Tamatsura."
"Shit." Brass was just as numb as his cousin. His family had tangled with Tamatsura before. They always came out on top.but not without a high price - the death of Moira's brothers and the exile of his nephew. Now, here they were again. And he wondered what protecting Gil Grissom from the Yakuza boss would cost his family this time.
HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM
Catherine was relieved when Nick and Warrick showed up. At least she would have help protecting Grissom until Moira got there. She began to explain the situation - as much as Brass had told her.
"Whoa! The dangerous brunette is Brass' cousin?" Warrick asked. Catherine nodded. "I saw her at the office arguing with him. Must have been about Gris," he added. They were so busy talking amongst themselves, that they never saw the man in question wake up. The last thing he remembered was laying on the floor of the warehouse trying to catch his breath. He felt fuzzy from the pain meds, and had to force his voice to work.
"Where am I?" he croaked. Catherine remembered Moira's seriousness about people still 'coming for him,' so she directed Nick to keep watch while they talked. "Catherine?"
"Relax, Grissom. Or you'll pull the chest tube out." She settled him back down. "You were attacked at the warehouse. You had a punctured lung, they're reinflating now. You also took a pretty good blow to the side of the head." Well, that would explain the chest tube and the killer headache, he mused.
"Lucky for you, Brass had his bad-ass cousin pulling guard duty." Warrick supplied. Grissom's throat was dry and he began coughing when he tried to use his voice again. The coughs wracked his body with pain. Catherine quickly poured him some water and held the cup to his lips. The coughing subsided, and he layed there trying to catch his breath. "You OK, Grissom?" The injured man nodded.
"Yes. Now what was that about Brass and his cousin?" he asked.
"Moira Kelly, the woman who saved you. She's Jim's cousin. He called her in to keep an eye on you when you refused protection from the police. What were you thinking?" he never told them about the death threats. If he had, Catherine would have forced him to take the protection - even if she had to strong arm him into it. "You could have been killed."
"We've all received death threats at some point. I didn't think anything would come of it. I was wrong." He admitted. All three of the CSI's were surprised. They weren't expecting him to give in so easily.
"Yeah, well lucky for you, Jim is more stubborn than you are." She replied. He agreed, he had been lucky this time. He wouldn't make the same mistake twice. Nick noticed Brass come into the ER with a gorgeous brunette. 'That must be Moira,' he thought. 'Wow!.'
"Brass," Nick called out. He tried to paste on his best 'Texas shit- eating-grin' to impress Marion. Needless to say, he failed. Jim chuckled at the other man's discomfort.
"Nice try, junior." He teased. No matter how hard Nick tried, he just wasn't Moira's type. "Nick Stokes, Warrick Brown, this is my cousin, Moira Kelly." She shook their hands. "And of course, you remember Catherine."
"I do. Nice to meet you, gentlemen. Did you have any trouble, Miss Willows?" She asked the smaller woman. Catherine shook her head and got up to return the three magazines Moira had given her earlier. Truth be told, she was glad to be rid of them.
"No trouble. And your patient is awake," she told her. The CSI's stepped back to allow Brass and Moira to stand next to Grissom's bed. Gil looked up at the woman who had saved his life. She was stunning. He had spent most of his life analyzing people.and one look into her eyes told him that there was much more to Moira Kelly than met the eye.
"How are you feeling, Mr. Grissom?" she asked. He was surprised by her accent. Irish? In his mind - it only complimented the package.
"It's Gil, please." The other CSI's seemed surprised at that. The only person that ever called Grissom by his first name was Brass - and even that was on a rare occasion. "I'm alive.and I hear I have you to thank for that." His pulse quickened when she smiled at him. He couldn't help it when he felt himself smile in return. Moira reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out his glasses.
"I picked these up from the floor of the warehouse." She handed them to him. "Jimmy put your kit in my truck." She frowned a bit when Grissom put his glasses on. "They cover your eyes.pity." Brass smiled when his friend blushed. This was the first chance Moira had to really see him. His blue eyes were absolutely fascinating for her. What was it that the girls called it 'Bedroom Eyes?' He was very attractive; but she sighed in resignation. She was here to keep him alive.nothing more. She might as well let him know what he was in for. "Gil, four days ago, there was a contract put out on your life. Dead or alive, you're worth fifteen million dollars." The CSI's were stunned. Nick and Warrick more than any of them.$15Million?! "Do you remember testifying against Johnny Lee?" He didn't. Grissom never remembered names, just the crimes they did. Catherine filled in the blank.
"The young Chinese man, he raped and murdered those two young girls." She clarified. Now he remembered.
"Well, his uncle is a crime lord for the Yakuza. Victor Tamatsura is the one bankrolling the hit." She explained.
"Wow, Gris! Japanese Mafia? You don't do anything half-assed, do you?" Nick asked. One glare from Brass along with a smack from Catherine was enough to get him to shut up. Grissom, for the first time in his life, was actually terrified. But as usual, the blank look on his face masked his fear.
"All the news isn't bad. Tamatsura is already skating on thin ice with the Yakuza over the last time he and I crossed swords. He's using their money to hunt a civilian."
"You make it sound like a war," Warrick added.
"It is. The sooner all of you get that through your heads, the better. Moira and I would be considered fair game, we're soldiers in their little war of honor. But him," Jim pointed at Grissom, "he's a civilian. And Tamatsura is breaking several rules by sending people after him."
"So why don't you just expose him to his bosses?" Nick asked. Grissom was carefully watching the conversation - always analyzing. Some of the pieces were beginning to fall into place.
"I have a feeling that's the plan, Nick. But something tells me it's not going to be that simple." Grissom explained. Moira smiled down at him - she'd have to keep an eye on him. He was too smart for his own good.
"Gil's right. Tamatsura is playing the cards that he has very well. He hasn't actually sent Yakuza members to kill him.my guess is that he has strict orders that none of its members are able to collect on the bounty. One, people are greedy by nature. Somebody is going to disobey - fifteen million is a lot of money." She said.
"Yeah, for fifteen million.I'd consider turning you in myself." Warrick joked. "Sorry, Gris."
"Two, I've got my people tracking the origin of the money. If we can expose that it's Yakuza money, he'll have bigger problems than his anger at Gil. I've already put the word out that I'm here. Hopefully, that will be enough to throw him off his game."
"You make it sound like this Tamatsura hates you." Catherine noted. "If that's the case, is it really a good idea that you be the one to guard Grissom?" Grissom was getting annoyed. Everyone was talking about him like he wasn't there.
"Catherine, Moira has been doing this for over fifteen years. It's going to be her reputation alone that is going to keep half the people from even taking the contract." Brass told her.
"Moira, you've tangled with this Tamatsura before?" When she nodded, Grissom continued. "Then we'll do things your way." Catherine was about to protest, but he put a hand up to cut her off. "We do things her way, Catherine." He reiterated. "Frankly, I'm in over my head. I have a feeling the police will be too. Call it a hunch, if you want to. But I think she knows what she's doing."
"Moira?" Nick addressed her. "If you're as good as Brass says you are, then there's no way Grissom could afford to hire you.not on a CSI's salary. None of us are rich, but we are family. If you keep him safe from this Yakuza guy - you can have my life savings." Grissom was extremely touched by the gesture.
"Nice sentiment, Junior." Brass commented. He was proud of the kid.
"You're right, Nick. My average rates for one job roughly equal what Gil makes in five years. Keep your money, this one's pro-bono." She looked at Grissom. "You're a lucky man. Your friends really care about you." She told him. Catherine looked at her watch. With Grissom out for a couple of days, at least - she was in charge of the shift. At the moment, Sara and Greg were the only ones back at the lab processing evidence.
"Come on, you two," she called to Warrick and Nick, "We have crimes to solve." She put her hand on Grissom's shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. "I'll stop by tomorrow after I drop Lindsey off at school." She told him before she headed for the door. Nick stepped forward and shook his hand. Gil placed his hand over the younger man's.
"Thanks, Nick."
"Anytime," he replied before walking to the door himself. Warrick stayed by the foot of the bed and just gave him a half-smile.
"You take care, Gris. We'll see you later. How much of this do you want me to tell Sara?" Brass visibly flinched. They had forgotten about the volatile, young CSI. Grissom looked to Moira for a response.
"You're going to have to talk to her yourself. You'll be home by tomorrow afternoon." She supplied.
"All right. Fill in the basics. If she still has any questions, tell her to stop by my house before shift tomorrow." He really didn't want her blowing up in front of the hospital staff. Warrick nodded and left with the other two CSI's. Grissom looked up at Brass, "Thanks, Jim. For not giving up on me."
"You'd do the same for me," he replied. 'He's right, I would,' Grissom thought. "Don't sweat it, we'll work all this out," Jim told his friend. "If you'll excuse me.I have to go fight with 'NurseZilla' to get her clearance to stay here with you." He was not looking forward to this. Moira sat in the chair next to Grissom's bed. As usual, curiosity got the better of him.
"Not that I'm complaining.but why are you helping me?" he asked her. She smiled to herself. She knew he wouldn't settle for a simple answer.
"My cousin happens to be an impeccable judge of character. He thinks the world will be a much better place with you still in it."
"You're willing to put your life on the line for a man you've never met, all based on Jim's character assessment of me? You guys are that close?" His cousins wouldn't put him out if he burst into flames.
"We are. Jimmy wouldn't have called me if he didn't truly need my help on this. He's worried, though. Tamatsura's little vendetta with our family has been costly for us. You have to believe that if we had known about his connection to Johnny Lee, Jimmy would have never let you testify." She explained to him. "We talked on the way over here. CSI work isn't just a job for you, is it?" It was a rhetorical question. "You know from here on out, I'll be your shadow. Where you go, I go - it will be that way until we can get this thing resolved. I'll stay quiet and out of your way; but I'll never be more than ten steps away at any given time. If we come under attack, you do everything I say.without question. And to hell with everything else. Tamatsura wants you, he's going to have to come through me first. If you have a problem with any of this, tell me now." He didn't like opening his life up to anyone.but he liked the alternative even less.
"It will take some getting used to, but I think I can handle that." He admitted. They both glanced over at the nurses station when they heard the raised voices. It was clear that neither Brass, or the nurse was happy about the situation. Jim nodded his head and returned to Grissom's bed side.
"All right. She's notified security that you'll be staying. I had to tell them what you're carrying, M." he knew she wouldn't be happy about that.
"Jimmy!"
"I know. I know. It was the only way. Security wanted to put up a big stink about it. It was the best way of placating them." He explained.
"So what was with the pissing contest you had going with the nurse over there?" Marion asked. And Grissom had to suppress an urge to laugh.it hurt.
"I think she's my penance for something I did in a previous life. Bad Karma." He mused.
"Jim, I thought you didn't believe in that stuff?" Gil teased.
"I didn't.until I met her." He pointed at the nurse he was referring to. Marion chuckled. "Look, you two, I have to get going. I have some details to run down before the end of the shift."
"I don't think I can use my cell-phone in here. So could you call Paddy for an update for me?" She got up and hugged her cousin. She could tell he was still extremely tense. "We'll get through this, Jimmy," she glanced back at Grissom, "all of us. OK?" Brass nodded.
"I'll call the desk later and see if you guys need anything."
"Thanks again, Jim." Grissom replied. They watched Brass walk out the door.he looked like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. Marion was worried about him - but she knew that he wanted the CSI supervisor looked after first. Stubborn man.God, she had missed him.
"You might want to get some sleep, Gil. It's going to be a long day tomorrow." She smiled when she saw the man settle back in the bed and close his eyes. Within minutes, he was fast asleep. She gently leaned forward and removed his glasses - and put them back in her pocket. She sat back in the chair, folded her arms across her chest and closed her eyes. She might as well take her own advice. There would be no danger of someone being able to surprise them. She was a light sleeper - and practically slept with one eye open as it is. Before she nodded off, she slid one hand into her denim jacket and rested it on the handle of one of the Sig-Sauers under her arm.
Chapter 1/? Author: Brutal Howell E-Mail: brutal_howell@hotmail.com Category: Drama/Romance/Angst/General Pairing: Grissom/Original Character Summary: Grissom's in trouble and Brass is forced to call in the cavalry to help his friend. Spoiler: None. This is my first CSI fic. Just an idea I've been kicking around for a few days. Feedback: Yes, please. Good, bad or indifferent.let me have it. Disclaimer: Moira and the bad guys belong to me. Everyone else.I'm just borrowing. Sadly, I make no money on this. Just get a chance to have a little fun.
For Honor and Glory Chapter 1
By
Brutal Howell
"Grissom! Be realistic here!" Brass pleaded. Gil shook his head adamantly.
"No, Jim. I can't do my job if I'm tripping over your officers." He held a hand up before the other man could interrupt. "I don't know what you're getting so worked up about. You and I have both been threatened more times that we can count. And nothings ever come of it."
"We've never found four sets of footprints outside your windows either. So unless you've taken up a sudden interest in gardening.somebody's watching you." He was at his wits end. Grissom was not going to give on this. And if Brass hoped to keep his friend safe, he was going to have to call in a favor he never wanted to use. "All right, Gil. You win.for now. No police, I promise." The CSI nodded, satisfied that he could now do his job in peace. The second Grissom left his office, Jim picked up the phone and punched in the numbers he had hoped to forget.
Hello
"It's Jimmy. M, I need you."
I'll leave within the hour. I can be in Vegas by tomorrow afternoon the voice promised. Jim let out a sigh of relief, things would be better once M was here.
"I'll send everything to the secure box," he added before he heard the line go dead. He locked the door to his office and sat down at the computer. It took almost an hour to call up the necessary files to send. But M would be happier if she had all the information before she got here.
DUBLIN, IRELAND
Things must be pretty bad for Jimmy to call now. But Moira owed her cousin a debt that could never be repayed. She pulled out a cell phone as she began to pack.
"Paddy, get down to the airfield and get the plane ready. I'm leaving for Vegas tonight." She paused to wait for the inevitable question from the other end. "Yes, it's Jimmy. Pack the arsenal.throw in the three Sig-Sauers and the Sniper Rifle too. I know. If it wasn't going to be a battle, Jimmy wouldn't have called. Usual protocols apply - I'll wire the $500,000 to your account before I get to the airfield. See you in an hour." She ended the call and went to her laptop. After wiring the necessary monies to Paddy's account, she packed the computer as well. Half a million might seem like a lot to some people, but when you're talking about life and death - only the best will do. She would need the technological wizard to be her eyes and ears once she got to Las Vegas. Moira had everything organized for a quick exit if need be - came in handy in her line of work. Within ten minutes, she was ready.'I sure hope you know what you're doing, Jimmy.' She thought, as she closed the door behind her.
PRIVATE AIRFIELD, LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
Moira was glad Brass had sent her the files. She was able to see all the players on the board before she stepped in to play. It also gave her a chance to forward the information to Paddy to see if the young man could get a lead from their own database. From what she read, Gil Grissom was an extremely intelligent man - who was very effective at catching criminals. In the last week, he had personally testified in nine cases that all had ties to international crime families. That was a very quick way to make enemies. What she couldn't figure out was, how the man could be one of the most brilliant CSI's in the world.yet foolish enough to turn down Jimmy's offer of protection. She was finishing her weapons check when the jet came to a complete stop. When she opened the door, she wasn't exactly surprised to find her cousin waiting with her Modified SUV. Brass looked at his watch as she came down the stairs.
"You're early.not that I'm complaining." He smiled at her. It had been six years since he had seen or talked to his cousin. She chuckled when she hugged him.
"It's been too long." She turned when her pilot began carrying cases to the SUV. "Make sure you get all five, Sean." Jim's eyes went wide at the mention of five cases. There were enough weapons in ONE of the damned things to give the LVPD a run for their money.
"You know something. Should I be preparing for a war?" he asked. Moira's "unofficial" channels could yield more answers than his. She gave him a sad smile.
"Paddy got word of a Contract put out on Mr. Grissom as of this morning. Pay out is fifteen million.dead OR alive. He hasn't been able to track down who supplied the funds, yet. But if it was important enough for you to call me; I'm not taking any chances." She explained. "I'm glad you brought the RV." Brass laughed at the idea of her referring to an Armor Plated SUV with bullet-proof and tinted windows as a recreational vehicle. The pilot finished loading her equipment and stood silently waiting for his next orders. "Thank you, Sean. I want you to lock things down here. There should be enough food and supplies on the jet for at least two weeks. If we're here any longer, you have Jimmy's number."
"Nice seeing you again, Mr. Brass," Sean said; before snapping to attention and returning to the plane.
"Some things never change. You're still too hard on that kid." He chided Moira.
"That 'kid' makes more in a month working for me.than you do in a year." Sean and Paddy were her only two employees. She took care of them AND their entire families. They had both worked for her since they were teenagers. Her generosity bought her their undying loyalties. It was worth every penny.both were good men.
"You're kidding, right?" He was floored when she shook her head. "How do you feel about hiring family?" he teased her. They started walking to the SUV. "Come on, let's get to the station before the graveyard shift starts."
LVPD - GRAVEYARD SHIFT
Greg Sanders was on his second pot of Jamaican Blue Mountain tonight. The only thing he had on his 'to do' list was a soil sample from a 401A for Warrick and Catherine. It took him less than a minute to load the spectrometer and he was a free man, again. He got up from the computer and headed for the break room. He got one step into the hall when he collided with Lt. Brass.
"Watch it, Sanders!" Jim growled. Greg was about to pick himself up off the floor when a hand appeared in front of his face. When he grabbed it, he was pulled to his feet.
"Uh..thanks." He looked up into the face of the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in his life. She was barely an inch shorter than him. Her long, thick brown hair was barely contained by the single clip she had in it. She was dressed to the nines in an emerald green pant suit that matched her eyes perfectly. "Wow!" he whistled in appreciation - before he thought about it. Greg flinched when he heard Brass growl at him.
"Don't you have some work to do, Sanders?" He thought the Lieutenant was going to hit him when he shook his head no. He was rescued by Warrick coming toward them.
"You got my test results, Greg?" Brass and the mystery woman chose this moment to make their escape. Greg's eyes followed her every step of the way. "Don't even think about it, my man." He warned the young technician. When Sanders looked at him with a questioning look, the CSI specified. "That woman, stay away from her. She's dangerous."
"What are you talking about?" Warrick turned the kid to where Brass and the woman seemed to be arguing.
"Count the bulges under the jacket. One under each arm.those are guns. One in the small of the back.my guess, also a gun. There is also a slight bulge on her right forearm. That one is longer, and narrower than the others.I'd put my money on knives there. And I'll bet a year's salary that she knows how to use each one of them quite well. You'd be dead before you knew what hit you." He was kind of curious as to what a woman like that was doing with Brass, though. He decided to save the curiosity for later. He had a case to finish. "Greg, my test results?" Warrick steered the young techneician back into the lab.
CRIME SCENE - 4 DAYS LATER
Moira had been shadowing Gil Grissom for four days, now. She had chased off half a dozen young mercenaries trying to make a name for themselves by bringing in the CSI's head. So far, he only had one habit that could potentially make her job harder - and he only did it when he was working a crime scene. Grissom would get so caught up in his work, that he would literally close out the rest of the world around him. It made him a good CSI, but it could be hazardous to one's health - if they had a target on their backs. She cringed when Brass called in the 419, with a location in the warehouse district. She followed the CSI crew to the scene and parked far enough away that she could still keep an eye on Grissom. She watched him give his crew their orders and then did the one thing that Moira was hoping he wouldn't do.he went to work on his own. And to make matters worse, he had ducked into an isolated part of the building. She cursed as she got out of the truck and headed his way. Her heart sank as she saw a face she recognized in an upstairs window of the warehouse. Grissom was walking into a trap! 'To hell with covert,' Moira thought. And she sprinted inside, hoping to reach him in time.
Gil Grissom had followed the trail of blood to the Southwest corner of an abandoned warehouse. There were spray patterns on the far wall. He set his case down and removed some swabs. He was about to take a sample when he heard a man call his name. When he turned, he felt the explosion of pain behind his eyes as something hit him in the side of the head. The force of the impact threw his glasses off his face and he fell to the ground. As he scrambled to get his gun out of its holster, he felt a couple of ribs break when the person kicked him. 'This is it,' Grissom thought. 'I'm going to die.'
Moira had circled around to the other side of the building. She ducked in a side entrance and quickly ran to intercept the threat to Gil Grissom. She heard the fighting before she actually entered the room. The assailant had the CSI on the ground gasping for air. She couldn't get to them before he could draw a gun to finish the job.so she did the next best thing. She took a direct intercept path that would place her between the shooter and Grissom. She arrived just as he was pulling the trigger. Her smaller size gave her an advantage as she came up under his arms and the bullet went into the ceiling. With his arms up, he was exposed - and Moira punched him in the throat as hard as she could. The shooter dropped his weapon in shock and fell to his hands and knees trying to get air through his bruised trachea. She gave him a quick kick to the head, effectively knocking him unconscious. She dragged the shooter over to the nearest pillar and cuffed him to it. She disarmed him completely and then ran to Grissom's side. The CSI had curled himself into a fetal position to protect against any more blows and was taking very short, shallow breaths. Moira was concerned that he might have a punctured lung. He had blood pooling in the dirt below his temple. He instinctively flinched and curled up tighter when she touched him.
"Mr. Grissom, I'm a friend. Jim Brass sent me to help you." She told him this, over and over. If he still didn't relax, she was going to have to hold him down. "Please, sir. I have to check your injuries."
It took a few seconds for Grissom to realize that the blows had stopped. He felt a gentle touch on his shoulder, and sensed the vibration of the person's voice. But he couldn't hear them over the ringing. The pain behind his eyes was the most intense he had ever felt. He couldn't have opened them, even if he wanted to. The biggest thing that was scaring him was that he was finding it more difficult to breathe. He heard the person yelling about something but his world was becoming fuzzier by the second.
Moira noticed that Grissom was beginning to lose consciousness. She felt for the location of his trachea, and cursed when it was slightly shifted to the right. She pulled out her cell phone and dialed 911. While she rattled off details to the dispatcher, she rolled the CSI onto his back and opened his shirt. When she heard no sounds over his left lung, she knew that he did indeed have a punctured lung. She gave her name, location and asked the dispatcher to call Jim Brass to their location as well. She pressed a handkerchief to his temple and tried to monitor his breathing and pulse. She took off her jacket and placed it behind his head.
"Where the hell is that ambulance!" she growled. "Come on, Grissom.stay with me." He was pale and diaphoretic, and his carotid pulse was racing. Moira knew he was going into shock. "Damnit!" Her head snapped toward the door when she heard a car skid to a stop outside. Brass and a woman she knew to be Catherine Willows came rushing through the door. "Jimmy, back here!" she called out. As the two got closer, she began to rattle off what she knew for sure. "He has a punctured left lung.if we can't do a needle decompression, he's going to die before the ambulance gets here." Catherine ran over to Grissom's kit and began rummaging through it.
"What do you need?" she asked.
"A needle, 12-16 gauge, if you have it. I need one latex glove, some scissors and some tape." When she brought the necessary things over, Moira explained what she needed them to do. "Miss Willows, cut one of the fingers off the latex glove for me. We need to use it as a flap on the catheter. Jimmy, rip off about 6 pieces of tape." She placed her fingers in the middle of Grissom's left clavicle. She counted down to the second intercostals space and reached for the needle that Catherine was holding out. She gently advanced the needle over the top of his rib and heard the hiss of air when it broke through into the pleural space. She breathed a sigh of relief when she heard the sirens nearby. "Good, now he can get some real help."
"I don't know, I think you did a great job. Look, some of his color's returning." Catherine complimented her. Moira felt his pulse, and it seemed to be returning to slightly more normal perameters. "Catherine Willows," she stuck her hand out and Moira shook it.
"Moira Kelly." She could tell from the look in the other woman's eyes that she knew exactly who and what she was. "Jimmy, your attacker is handcuffed to the post over there." She motioned with her head. "His name is Kevin Charger. He's a mercenary from California." As Brass went to tend to their prisoner, the Paramedics finally came through the door. He directed them to Grissom. Moira began rattling off the pertinent details, "Forty-Six year old male, 5 inch superficial scalp laceration. Broken ribs - possible flail segment - that punctured the left lung. Somebody kicked him. He's allergic to sulfa drugs." The Paramedic noted the needle already secured to the patient's chest.
"Who did this?" he asked. Catherine pointed at Moira. "Good job, you probably saved this man's life. You his wife?" She smiled and shook her head.
"Ah, no. I'm his bodyguard." The Paramedics loaded Grissom on to the stretcher and Moira and Catherine walked to the ambulance with them. "You ride in back with him. If he opens his eyes, it'll help to have a friendly face with him." When she went to step up into the ambulance, Moira grabbed her arm. "Do you have your gun?" Catherine nodded. "People will still come for him." She handed 3 magazines of ammo to her. "These are armor piercing rounds. Just keep him safe for about 40 minutes. I'll be along shortly." Catherine got in the ambulance and Moira shut the doors. She smacked the ambulance twice to signify that everyone was in and it was time to go. She returned to the warehouse with Brass.
When she came in, she noticed Jimmy crouched down talking to the guy. The man's eyes went wide with panic when he saw her.
"Irish! I didn't know you were on this contract?!" he stammered.
"I don't take these types of contracts, idiot." She crouched down and began searching for - and removing - all of the mercenary's weapons. "Murdering a scientist isn't exactly my idea of fun. Who put out the contract, Kevin?" He bit his lip trying not to answer, but the fear was clear in his eyes. Moira shook her head and sighed. "Who put out the contract on Gil Grissom?" She asked a bit louder. The mercenary's lip began trembling when she held the barrel of one of the Sig-Sauers to his knee. The man looked to Brass for help.
"You're a cop. For God's sake, you can't let her do this!" he begged. Jim made sure he had the younger man's undivided attention.
"That man you just tried to kill, is one of my best friends. I'd let her shoot you in the head, and then write it up as justifiable homicide." He wouldn't let it get that far, but there was no way he was going to let the other man know that. The mercenary began trembling. "You might want to answer her, I think she's about to get impatient." Brass pointed out.
"Michael! Michael Lee put out the contract!" the man yelled.
"Bullshit! Where the hell does a two-bit Chinese mobster get fifteen million dollars?" Moira had crossed Michael Lee before. He was a little dog, with more bark than bite. She pressed the barrel of the gun in harder.
"He's not bankrolling it, his brother-in-law is. I guess the guy has ties to Yakuza." The mercenary explained. "Before you shoot me, I don't know who he is." He breathed a sigh of relief when she put her gun away. She leaned forward and grabbed a handful of his hair.
"You are officially off this contract. You come within 10 miles of Gil Grissom and I will squash you like the bug that you are. Am I clear?" he tried to nod his head. "You're going to be my little messenger boy, Kevin. You go tell Michael Lee that I'm here. Spread the word, Grissom is under my protection now." She drew a knife and plunged it into the young man's thigh. It had a clover at the top - one of her calling cards. "Show them that, if they need proof." Moira took out a key and released the mercenary. "Go on, before I change my mind." The man struggled to his feet and limped to the door. Brass waited until he went out the door to talk to her.
"Why did you let him go?" he asked.
"Come on, Jimmy. You know as well as I do, he would have made bail by morning. And then you'd have never seen him again. He's more useful as a messenger." She explained as she withdrew her cell phone and dialed Paddy's number. She began to relay the information Kevin Charger had told them.
"And the significance of stabbing him in the leg?" he was kind of curious about that one. Moira shrugged her shoulders.
"Something I started about three years ago. No one would believe I'm here to protect a CSI.Grissom could never afford what I make. The clover in the handle of the knife I 'gave' Kevin will prove that I am." She replied. She put a hand up to stop any more questions while Paddy relayed the info she requested. Jim got a bit nervous when he saw some of the blood drain from her face. Moira closed her phone and put it back in her pocket.
"What? What's wrong?" he demanded.
"Michael Lee's brother-in-law is Victor Tamatsura."
"Shit." Brass was just as numb as his cousin. His family had tangled with Tamatsura before. They always came out on top.but not without a high price - the death of Moira's brothers and the exile of his nephew. Now, here they were again. And he wondered what protecting Gil Grissom from the Yakuza boss would cost his family this time.
HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM
Catherine was relieved when Nick and Warrick showed up. At least she would have help protecting Grissom until Moira got there. She began to explain the situation - as much as Brass had told her.
"Whoa! The dangerous brunette is Brass' cousin?" Warrick asked. Catherine nodded. "I saw her at the office arguing with him. Must have been about Gris," he added. They were so busy talking amongst themselves, that they never saw the man in question wake up. The last thing he remembered was laying on the floor of the warehouse trying to catch his breath. He felt fuzzy from the pain meds, and had to force his voice to work.
"Where am I?" he croaked. Catherine remembered Moira's seriousness about people still 'coming for him,' so she directed Nick to keep watch while they talked. "Catherine?"
"Relax, Grissom. Or you'll pull the chest tube out." She settled him back down. "You were attacked at the warehouse. You had a punctured lung, they're reinflating now. You also took a pretty good blow to the side of the head." Well, that would explain the chest tube and the killer headache, he mused.
"Lucky for you, Brass had his bad-ass cousin pulling guard duty." Warrick supplied. Grissom's throat was dry and he began coughing when he tried to use his voice again. The coughs wracked his body with pain. Catherine quickly poured him some water and held the cup to his lips. The coughing subsided, and he layed there trying to catch his breath. "You OK, Grissom?" The injured man nodded.
"Yes. Now what was that about Brass and his cousin?" he asked.
"Moira Kelly, the woman who saved you. She's Jim's cousin. He called her in to keep an eye on you when you refused protection from the police. What were you thinking?" he never told them about the death threats. If he had, Catherine would have forced him to take the protection - even if she had to strong arm him into it. "You could have been killed."
"We've all received death threats at some point. I didn't think anything would come of it. I was wrong." He admitted. All three of the CSI's were surprised. They weren't expecting him to give in so easily.
"Yeah, well lucky for you, Jim is more stubborn than you are." She replied. He agreed, he had been lucky this time. He wouldn't make the same mistake twice. Nick noticed Brass come into the ER with a gorgeous brunette. 'That must be Moira,' he thought. 'Wow!.'
"Brass," Nick called out. He tried to paste on his best 'Texas shit- eating-grin' to impress Marion. Needless to say, he failed. Jim chuckled at the other man's discomfort.
"Nice try, junior." He teased. No matter how hard Nick tried, he just wasn't Moira's type. "Nick Stokes, Warrick Brown, this is my cousin, Moira Kelly." She shook their hands. "And of course, you remember Catherine."
"I do. Nice to meet you, gentlemen. Did you have any trouble, Miss Willows?" She asked the smaller woman. Catherine shook her head and got up to return the three magazines Moira had given her earlier. Truth be told, she was glad to be rid of them.
"No trouble. And your patient is awake," she told her. The CSI's stepped back to allow Brass and Moira to stand next to Grissom's bed. Gil looked up at the woman who had saved his life. She was stunning. He had spent most of his life analyzing people.and one look into her eyes told him that there was much more to Moira Kelly than met the eye.
"How are you feeling, Mr. Grissom?" she asked. He was surprised by her accent. Irish? In his mind - it only complimented the package.
"It's Gil, please." The other CSI's seemed surprised at that. The only person that ever called Grissom by his first name was Brass - and even that was on a rare occasion. "I'm alive.and I hear I have you to thank for that." His pulse quickened when she smiled at him. He couldn't help it when he felt himself smile in return. Moira reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out his glasses.
"I picked these up from the floor of the warehouse." She handed them to him. "Jimmy put your kit in my truck." She frowned a bit when Grissom put his glasses on. "They cover your eyes.pity." Brass smiled when his friend blushed. This was the first chance Moira had to really see him. His blue eyes were absolutely fascinating for her. What was it that the girls called it 'Bedroom Eyes?' He was very attractive; but she sighed in resignation. She was here to keep him alive.nothing more. She might as well let him know what he was in for. "Gil, four days ago, there was a contract put out on your life. Dead or alive, you're worth fifteen million dollars." The CSI's were stunned. Nick and Warrick more than any of them.$15Million?! "Do you remember testifying against Johnny Lee?" He didn't. Grissom never remembered names, just the crimes they did. Catherine filled in the blank.
"The young Chinese man, he raped and murdered those two young girls." She clarified. Now he remembered.
"Well, his uncle is a crime lord for the Yakuza. Victor Tamatsura is the one bankrolling the hit." She explained.
"Wow, Gris! Japanese Mafia? You don't do anything half-assed, do you?" Nick asked. One glare from Brass along with a smack from Catherine was enough to get him to shut up. Grissom, for the first time in his life, was actually terrified. But as usual, the blank look on his face masked his fear.
"All the news isn't bad. Tamatsura is already skating on thin ice with the Yakuza over the last time he and I crossed swords. He's using their money to hunt a civilian."
"You make it sound like a war," Warrick added.
"It is. The sooner all of you get that through your heads, the better. Moira and I would be considered fair game, we're soldiers in their little war of honor. But him," Jim pointed at Grissom, "he's a civilian. And Tamatsura is breaking several rules by sending people after him."
"So why don't you just expose him to his bosses?" Nick asked. Grissom was carefully watching the conversation - always analyzing. Some of the pieces were beginning to fall into place.
"I have a feeling that's the plan, Nick. But something tells me it's not going to be that simple." Grissom explained. Moira smiled down at him - she'd have to keep an eye on him. He was too smart for his own good.
"Gil's right. Tamatsura is playing the cards that he has very well. He hasn't actually sent Yakuza members to kill him.my guess is that he has strict orders that none of its members are able to collect on the bounty. One, people are greedy by nature. Somebody is going to disobey - fifteen million is a lot of money." She said.
"Yeah, for fifteen million.I'd consider turning you in myself." Warrick joked. "Sorry, Gris."
"Two, I've got my people tracking the origin of the money. If we can expose that it's Yakuza money, he'll have bigger problems than his anger at Gil. I've already put the word out that I'm here. Hopefully, that will be enough to throw him off his game."
"You make it sound like this Tamatsura hates you." Catherine noted. "If that's the case, is it really a good idea that you be the one to guard Grissom?" Grissom was getting annoyed. Everyone was talking about him like he wasn't there.
"Catherine, Moira has been doing this for over fifteen years. It's going to be her reputation alone that is going to keep half the people from even taking the contract." Brass told her.
"Moira, you've tangled with this Tamatsura before?" When she nodded, Grissom continued. "Then we'll do things your way." Catherine was about to protest, but he put a hand up to cut her off. "We do things her way, Catherine." He reiterated. "Frankly, I'm in over my head. I have a feeling the police will be too. Call it a hunch, if you want to. But I think she knows what she's doing."
"Moira?" Nick addressed her. "If you're as good as Brass says you are, then there's no way Grissom could afford to hire you.not on a CSI's salary. None of us are rich, but we are family. If you keep him safe from this Yakuza guy - you can have my life savings." Grissom was extremely touched by the gesture.
"Nice sentiment, Junior." Brass commented. He was proud of the kid.
"You're right, Nick. My average rates for one job roughly equal what Gil makes in five years. Keep your money, this one's pro-bono." She looked at Grissom. "You're a lucky man. Your friends really care about you." She told him. Catherine looked at her watch. With Grissom out for a couple of days, at least - she was in charge of the shift. At the moment, Sara and Greg were the only ones back at the lab processing evidence.
"Come on, you two," she called to Warrick and Nick, "We have crimes to solve." She put her hand on Grissom's shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. "I'll stop by tomorrow after I drop Lindsey off at school." She told him before she headed for the door. Nick stepped forward and shook his hand. Gil placed his hand over the younger man's.
"Thanks, Nick."
"Anytime," he replied before walking to the door himself. Warrick stayed by the foot of the bed and just gave him a half-smile.
"You take care, Gris. We'll see you later. How much of this do you want me to tell Sara?" Brass visibly flinched. They had forgotten about the volatile, young CSI. Grissom looked to Moira for a response.
"You're going to have to talk to her yourself. You'll be home by tomorrow afternoon." She supplied.
"All right. Fill in the basics. If she still has any questions, tell her to stop by my house before shift tomorrow." He really didn't want her blowing up in front of the hospital staff. Warrick nodded and left with the other two CSI's. Grissom looked up at Brass, "Thanks, Jim. For not giving up on me."
"You'd do the same for me," he replied. 'He's right, I would,' Grissom thought. "Don't sweat it, we'll work all this out," Jim told his friend. "If you'll excuse me.I have to go fight with 'NurseZilla' to get her clearance to stay here with you." He was not looking forward to this. Moira sat in the chair next to Grissom's bed. As usual, curiosity got the better of him.
"Not that I'm complaining.but why are you helping me?" he asked her. She smiled to herself. She knew he wouldn't settle for a simple answer.
"My cousin happens to be an impeccable judge of character. He thinks the world will be a much better place with you still in it."
"You're willing to put your life on the line for a man you've never met, all based on Jim's character assessment of me? You guys are that close?" His cousins wouldn't put him out if he burst into flames.
"We are. Jimmy wouldn't have called me if he didn't truly need my help on this. He's worried, though. Tamatsura's little vendetta with our family has been costly for us. You have to believe that if we had known about his connection to Johnny Lee, Jimmy would have never let you testify." She explained to him. "We talked on the way over here. CSI work isn't just a job for you, is it?" It was a rhetorical question. "You know from here on out, I'll be your shadow. Where you go, I go - it will be that way until we can get this thing resolved. I'll stay quiet and out of your way; but I'll never be more than ten steps away at any given time. If we come under attack, you do everything I say.without question. And to hell with everything else. Tamatsura wants you, he's going to have to come through me first. If you have a problem with any of this, tell me now." He didn't like opening his life up to anyone.but he liked the alternative even less.
"It will take some getting used to, but I think I can handle that." He admitted. They both glanced over at the nurses station when they heard the raised voices. It was clear that neither Brass, or the nurse was happy about the situation. Jim nodded his head and returned to Grissom's bed side.
"All right. She's notified security that you'll be staying. I had to tell them what you're carrying, M." he knew she wouldn't be happy about that.
"Jimmy!"
"I know. I know. It was the only way. Security wanted to put up a big stink about it. It was the best way of placating them." He explained.
"So what was with the pissing contest you had going with the nurse over there?" Marion asked. And Grissom had to suppress an urge to laugh.it hurt.
"I think she's my penance for something I did in a previous life. Bad Karma." He mused.
"Jim, I thought you didn't believe in that stuff?" Gil teased.
"I didn't.until I met her." He pointed at the nurse he was referring to. Marion chuckled. "Look, you two, I have to get going. I have some details to run down before the end of the shift."
"I don't think I can use my cell-phone in here. So could you call Paddy for an update for me?" She got up and hugged her cousin. She could tell he was still extremely tense. "We'll get through this, Jimmy," she glanced back at Grissom, "all of us. OK?" Brass nodded.
"I'll call the desk later and see if you guys need anything."
"Thanks again, Jim." Grissom replied. They watched Brass walk out the door.he looked like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. Marion was worried about him - but she knew that he wanted the CSI supervisor looked after first. Stubborn man.God, she had missed him.
"You might want to get some sleep, Gil. It's going to be a long day tomorrow." She smiled when she saw the man settle back in the bed and close his eyes. Within minutes, he was fast asleep. She gently leaned forward and removed his glasses - and put them back in her pocket. She sat back in the chair, folded her arms across her chest and closed her eyes. She might as well take her own advice. There would be no danger of someone being able to surprise them. She was a light sleeper - and practically slept with one eye open as it is. Before she nodded off, she slid one hand into her denim jacket and rested it on the handle of one of the Sig-Sauers under her arm.