Follow up to Discovery. I'm finding that as much as I like PureJoy, I like Brillows (my own name for them) as well. There is a connection there...they live in the same world. As I watched Jim's weariness and despair about having to call the dead girl's parents in Good Bye and Good Luck, I wondered what he would be like without the memory of his demons. Hope you enjoy.

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He was in fog. Mists surrounded him, invaded his brain. Voices were heard in the distance...a man and a woman, no two men. The woman was crying. Why? Where were they? Where was he? He tried to motion to them but his hand felt like lead; tried to cry out, but no sound would come. The voices were growing fainter...disappearing in the mist. As they departed, he retreated into the fog until it was total darkness.

The voices again...the woman wasn't crying this time; she was demanding. One of the men tried to calm her...the other seemed to be explaining. He tried to fight his way further out of the fog this time, tried again to lift his hand or call out. Nothing. He felt a hand touch his...heard a voice, barely a whisper through the mist..."I'm here..." Then a soft sob and a male voice tenderly talking. "He's still out of it. Come on, you need rest." The hand left his and he was alone again, falling back into the darkness.

Light wormed its way into his fog. He followed it. Sensing a presence close by, he again tried to make contact. Still nothing. He listened. Breathing. Someone was close by and breathing. Then a sensation on his hand...a raindrop? Hearing a sniffle, he realized that no, it was a teardrop. Who was there, crying over him? Fighting with all of his strength, he forced his eyes to open. She was beautiful...a fairy princess like he used to read about to...who? Someone. Her hair was a reddish blonde and her eyes, though filled with tears, were a tantilizing shade of a blue/green. Unlike any he could remember. But ...he didn't remember any other. Who was she? As he watched her, another question formed in his mind. Who was he? His strength failed him and he retreated into the fog again.

The voices again. Closer this time. And the fog was not so dense. The mists were clearing and the light shone through. Finally he was able to push his way towards it and fight his way through the mist. His eyes opened and he moaned. Three sets of eyes all turned toward him. A young pair of blue eyes were suddenly over him, probing as were his hands. A doctor. He looked around and realized that he was in a hospital. Then he saw the other two. A man...fiftish with seriously greying hair and even more serious eyes. And a woman...his fairy princess from before. But she was real...fortish, a little more maybe. But awesomely beautiful. And she was smiling...at him. Unshed tears were gathering in her eyes as she gazed at him. Then her eyes went from him to the doctor.

The doctor stood and smiled. "You've had a very nice rest. I'm glad you've decided to wake up. Are you in any pain?"

He realized that he was. His back...and his leg. His leg was a sharp pain. His back just hurt everywhere, as if a thousand needles were pricking him. Not unbearable, but not comfortable either. He nodded.

"Not surprising," said the doctor. "You took quite a blast. I'll order some pain meds for you." Quietly he stepped out of the room and she moved closer to him, leaning over and gently kissing his forehead while tenderly rubbing his cheek. "It's good to have you back." She smiled. The man leaned in a little too. "You gave us a scare...I thought we had an agreement. No more heroics, right?"

He stared at the two, confused. Who were they? More to the point, he again was asking himself who he was.

The man frowned. "Jim, you look...confused?"

Jim...my name is Jim. He rolled it around in his brain. It brought no recognition. Nothing. He supposed it was as good as any, though. Opening his mouth, he managed to speak, although rather hoarsely. "What happened? Who are you? Who am I?"

The beauty looked horrified. The man looked...puzzled. The doctor walked in again and both turned to fill him in. Frowning, he leaned over his patient. "Jim, do you know where you are?"

Jim looked around. "Hospital."

"I'm Dr. Evans. Do you know who these people are?"

Looking from the doctor to the other two, he nodded his head, "No."

"Can you tell me your name?"

Gazing at the other man, he replied, "Jim."

"And your last name?"

"You gonna tell me or do I have to pick one?" he smirked.

Catherine relaxed a little. Jim's memory might be gone, but he was still there inside.

The doctor chuckled..."Brass, your last name is Brass. Ring any bells?"

Slowly he nodded his head. "No."

"Okay...well, this is Catherine" he said indicating the fairy princess. "And this is Gil," he said indicating the other man.

Jim nodded as he absorbed their names.

"Now...a test," the doctor continued. "Who am I?"

"Evans..."

"Right...and the other gentleman?"

"Gil...and beautiful there is Catherine...and I'm...Jim Brass. " He let his name roll out of his mouth, trying to see if it felt natural. It didn't feel anything.

The nurse showed up with the meds. Dr. Evans told them all that Jim would probably just sleep for awhile and they the two visitors should get some rest. Catherine insisted on staying. The nurse, Gil, and the doctor all exited, leaving her standing next to Jim.

She seemed to expect something but he wan't sure what. It's difficult to anticipate a person's needs when you can't remember the person. Finally he grinned, "Hey beautiful."

A huge smile broke out on her face. Her eyes twinkled. "You've looked better, yourself," she teased.

"What do I look like?" He suddenly realized he wouldn't recognize himself in a mirror.

"Scruffy with three days of growth on your face. But it's a nice face...square and masculine with beautiful blue eyes that tell me everything. I think you have the most exprssive eyes I've ever seen on a man."

"Is that a good thing?" He was fascinated by her eyes.

"I think it is. Although you have been known to use it to your advantage. I'll bring a hand mirror with me next time so you can see for yourself. And we'll see what we can do about a shave. The Marine in you doesn't like scruffy."

"I'm a Marine?"

"You were. You told me that the Corps gave you direction...discipline. Apparently you were incorrigible as a young man. As I've gotten to know you better, I find it very believable." She was teasing him now, he realized. "But you said the Corps, and one sargeant in particular, straightened you out."

"Oh," was all he could think to say. As his mind pondered their conversation, he became curious. "Ah..what are we exactly.? I mean, to each other?"

"Well," she gave him a thoughtful look, "right now, you are my hero. But we've been friends for years; I used to work for you and you were a terrible boss," she laughed. "But you moved to a different department and we've become very good friends...and lately, something more."

Studying her calculated ending, he queried, "something more?"

"Um hmmm, dance partners and... lovers." Her expression was wistful and a little frightened.

His eyes wandered over her body. A man would be a fool to not want a piece of that, he thought. Just how good was it? I'll bet it was hot...she's a very sexy woman. What did I really feel about her? Was I in love with her or was she just a tasty piece... I wonder if after I get out of here...nah, I shouldn't mess with her until I know who I am, can remember her.

Catherine caught the expression on his face and knew exactly where his mind was. She leaned over him and planted a very hot, heart felt kiss on his lips that was full of promise for the future. As she moved away he realized that something had stirred in him. Damn, the drugs are covering up what I'm feeling. What am I feeling? Desire. Oh...yeah... anything else? As he looked into her gorgeous eyes, he realized that he wanted to feel a lot more.

"I'm going to go and let you rest," she said. "I'll come back later."

"Okay," he smiled. "You do that...and wear something really provacative. Maybe it'll jog my memory."

"I don't know about your memory, but I'll guarantee to jog something else," she teased as she walked out.

He watched the door close behind her with a lecherous grin on his face. He settled back into his pillow, fantasizing about her and dreaming of discovering her all over again. The meds took effect and he drifted into sleep with only her to fill his dreams.

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What do ya think? Want more? Have ideas about where this should go? Gotta tell me. No reviews equals no interest.