Okay, I was so into my Brass World from Grabbing the Brass Ring that I needed a break after finishing it so that I could finish another story. Deciding that I needed to get out of CSIland totally for a couple of hours, I popped in Murphy's Romance as a distraction. As I watched that movie, this idea came to me. Hope you enjoy. Please read and let me know what you think.

BTW, I don't own Brass or CSI. Oh but if I did...

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Captain Jim Brass had just finished another case. As he drove towards headquarters his stomach began to growl. Realizing that he had missed his morning donut and lunch, he decided to stop someplace for a mid-afternoon snack. As he drove down the street he thought he remembered seeing a little place on the next corner. He'd never eaten there but was in the mood for something new. He spotted it and pulled into the lot closest to the door. Entering, he was surprised by the size of the place. It was small. I'd be shocked if twenty people could eat here at once, he thought.

There was a menu board behind the counter and he began to study it. Wow, a lot of different kinds of food. He saw where they had soups and/or sandwiches. Oooo, Bar-B-Que, he thought. Chicken, beef, or pork...oh and their hosue sauce blend...Tex-Mex. Nick might be interested in that. Looking further he saw items from Cajun and Creole recipes, Southwestern, Italian, and some items that Jim considered comfort food.

A pleasant voice greeted him from behind the counter. "Hello. You ready to order or do you need to take a minute?"

"Oh, I think I need to look for a minute," he smiled. But instead of looking at the board, he was looking at her. She was very attractive, although Jim certainly knew women who were more beautiful. But her smile lit her whole face. The warmth of it touched Jim's heart. It would be nice to see a smile like that everyday he mused, remembering the gruesome smile of the DB at the crime scene.

"Ah, I think I'll keep it simple today," he said. "What's your soup?'

"Well, I have a seafood gumbo, Chorizo with beans, or chunky potaoes and vegetables."

Jim's eyes widened at the choices. "Any meat in the potato soup?"

"No, it's vegan."

"Hmmm...I'll try the gumbo and I'll have a turkey club with it."

"Drink?"

Jim surveyed his choices..."Just water, I think."

"Okay, we'll have it for you in just a minute."

He found a seat at a table near the counter. No sooner than he was settled, she was bringing his water. "thank you," he said.

"De Nada." There was that smile again.

A few minutes later she was bringing him the food. The gumbo smelled good and the sandwich was overflowing. "Wow." His eyes were lit over the impending feast.

She smiled again and returned to her work behind the counter. After tasting the soup he commented to her. "Wow, this is really good."

"Thank you," she smiled quietly.

"You made it?"

"All the recipes are mine. And I come in every morning and make it all form scratch. I have someone in the kitchen to put it together and make the sandwiches, but the secrets are mine." Her voice was light and humor filled.

Returning his attention to his food, he thought that he would visiting this place often. He was about half way through when she noticed that he needed a water refill. Pouring fresh water into his glass, she seemed to be studying his face.

Looking at her, he asked. "Am I okay...I mean, I don't like have mustard smeared all over my face, do I?" His voice was teasing.

She grinned and chuckled. "No, I'm sorry. I just am fascinated by people. I was trying to figure out what you do."

"Really? And what do you think I do?"

"Well," she smirked, "if the mob were still in town I'd say you were one of theeir top henchmen...and maybe they are still here so maybe..." she let it dangle for a minute. "Then I thought you reminded me of a Marine DI that I once knew. But I think that really you're a cop...detective maybe." Her look was thoughtful.

Jim's mouth dropped open. "How'd you guess?"

Laughing she replied, "Well , the New Jersey accent hints at the mob. Besides you just kinda have that look...sorry. And you really do look like a DI I knew. But the give away was the badge hanging off your jacket pocket." She was seriously having some fun at his expense now.

Sheepishly he retrieved his badge and returned it to his inside pocket. Chuckling at himself, he responded to her humor. "Okay...okay...I stepped into that one." He paused before continuing. "I'm Jim Brass."

"Jenny Lawson. I own this place. And I'm glad you stopped in today, Detective Jim Brass." She winked and then turned to head back behind the counter.

JIm finished his food and paid his bill. She thanked him for coming in and wished him a nice day...all the standard lines. He headed out the door promising himself that this would be on his list of favorite places to eat.

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Okay, How am I doing?