Title: Boundaries
author: Cindy Ryan
notes and summary: See part one

When Merri became aware of more than a sea of pain and fuzziness from the pain drugs two days had passed. Two days since she had awoken to her partner's worried, fearful face. Merri had vague memories of Chris and other co-workers stopping by to visit in the last forty-eight hours but try as she might the conversations held were at the fringes of her memory. Her brain simply too tired to grasp onto them.

Hitting one of the bed's control button's Merri raised it so she was in a slight sitting position. Once that was done she noticed the new flowers on her bedside table. Smiling Merri reached over and pulled the glass vase of pink roses closer. She pulled the small envelope out and retrieved the card inside. Merri was surprised to see they were from her partner. On the card was a simple phrase in Chris's familiar scrawl.

'Glad you're doin' better.'

Merri stared at the card for several minutes possibly longer she wasn't sure. Even in the daze she'd been in when she'd first awoke Merri had seen the relief on Chris's face. In the brief times she'd seen him since it was clear her being shot had shook him. Since her arrival in New Orleans Chris and Dwayne had quickly become family to her. It'd been a long time since she'd experienced that. Bonds formed in law enforcement were different than anywhere else. The one between the three of them was an added element to that. It was something Merri was both proud and happy to be a part of. Merri felt drowsiness overtake her once more and before she knew it Merri was asleep Chris's card still in her right hand.

To say it'd been a long week would've been the understatement of the century. Chris was beyond tired. However as he predicted nightmares plagued his sleep everytime he tried. He'd get maybe three hours before some terrifying verison of the shooting would wake him in a cold sweat. Chris would go for a run and then end up at the hospital waiting for visiting hours to begin. Then he'd go to work and the cycle would start again.

Chris knew his colleagues were worried about him. Especially King. By week's end Prid wasn't bothering to hide the concerned looks. Dwayne would also cook both of them at least two meals a day to make sure both of them had a decent meal. Chris appreciated his friend's concern. He just felt like he was hanging by a rope. He was used to dealing with Cade and his illness. But combine that with Merri's shooting and the realization of the change in their relationship it was all Chris could do to keep things to a manageable level.

By week's end Chris had a feeling he wasn't managing very well. Even with the good news of Merri's continued progess the excalating rumors of the invesitagation into the attempt on Pack's life were giving Chris headaches. It was one step forward for the investigation team and three steps back. He knew King wasn't happy either. Chris had lost count of the numer of video calls placed between New Orleans and Washington. Still the verdict was the same; they were off the case.

Early Saturday morning first call for visiting hours found Dwayne Pride approaching Merri's room. He knew she'd still be asleep. Still he felt the need to check on her. Dwayne smiled at a passing nurse and pushed open the door. He found Merri as expected sound asleep. The NCIS senior agent sat down in the visitor's chair and stared out the window. This was hardly the first time in his career he'd visited an injured friend and colleague. Dwayne knew it wouldn't be the last. However, for some reason this time was a bit harder than the rest. It wasn't just because Merri was one of his agents. She'd become a good friend. Dwayne had also seen the affect she'd had on Christopher since the moment they met. A good influence on all and Dwayne was heartened that she was still with them. It was amazing how a person can be in one's life such a short time and still have such a deep affect.

Working long hours and sometimes intense situations it was hard not to form close bonds. Over the past year his little NCIS family had grown and strengthened. They all knew how easily everything could change and this week it almost had. Dwayne was as frusterated as Chris was to be shut out of the investigation. However, Dwayne had a few more years of experience dealing with the top brass to know when to fight and when to back off. With a sigh Dwayne rubbed his forehead tiredly. He could only hope Chris would follow his lead on this. Then again Dwayne also knew how much the younger man cared about Merri. Partnership bonds were a difficult thing to define. They were strong, potent and ninety-five percent of the time unbreakable.

"You concentrate on healin'."Dwayne said to Merri's sleeping form his voice barely above a whisper. "I'll make sure Christopher keeps his neck out of trouble."

Dwayne knew the promise wasn't going to be an easy one to keep. He knew Chris LaSalle well and when somebody Chris cared about was hurt because of somebody not acting on the right side of the law. Dwayne knew Chris would do whatever it took to bring that person to justice. No matter the cost. Dwayne just hoped he was wrong that Chris wasn't thinking that way. However, his instincts were screaming at him that his friend was teetering on the edge. Dwayne just had to find a way to pull him back before it was too late.

Sunday night Chris found himself back at the NCIS office. He'd had another nearly sleepless weekend. However he couldn't blame the nightmares this time. His lack of sleep had been spent thinking of relationships. Wondering if love was worth breaking up a family. Chris still hadn't talked to Merri. He didn't want to pressure her or lay on more stress. Best to wait until she was back on her feet and back to a normal life.

Still Chris had come to the decision that he had to tell King. Orginally he had planned on waiting on knowing if Merri returned his feelings. Either way things would be awkward and Pride had the right to know. There were few people that Chris respected and liked more than Dwayne Pride. He'd done a lot for Chris over the years and the least he could do was be honest. With a sigh Chris crossed the main room of the NCIS office and went up the stairs to Pride's room and knocked.

"Come in."Pride greeted.

Chris had called ahead so his appearance wasn't a complete surprise. Dwayne stood and gestured back to the door.

"Let's go down to the courtyard. Too stuffy in here."Pride suggested.

Chris followed silently. A few minutes later both men reached the kitchen.

"You want a beer?"Pride asked.

"Yeah."Chris agreed as Pride opened the fridge and handed him a bottle.

Once outside the two men sat down at the table. Dwayne waited taking a sip of beer. Chris was glad he had talked to Loretta earlier it made this easier. Not much but a bit.

"When Merri gets back I'm leavin' NCIS."Chris stated quietly.

Dwayne's eyes widened as he turned to face his junior agent.

"Why?"Pride asked. "If you had been there Chris there's no gurantee the outcome would've been any different. She'd be the first to tell you that."

"That's not why I'm leavin'."Chris responded as he looked down at the beer bottle. "When I found her at the courthouse, King not knowin' if she was alive or dead I realized how much I loved her. Even if she doesn't feel the same way...I can't stay. I know it breaks up the team and I'm sorry but..."

"You have to do what's best for you, Christopher."Dwayne commented after a few minutes. "Teams no matter how good they are never last forever. Somebody always gets an oppurtunity to move on. I'll be sorry to lose you though."

"I'll miss it too."Chris replied gruffly as he cleared his throat and took another sip.

"For what it's worth I think you and Merri could have a happy life together."Dwayne said with a smile.

"I think she feels the same King."Chris stated softly. "Just don't know if she's willin' to risk our friendship."

"All you can do is talk to her. If it's meant to be it'll work itself out."Dwayne advised as he took a sip of beer.

"Funny somebody else said the same thing."Chris replied with a grin.

Merri glanced up as a visitor entered her hospital room. She smiled at Sebastian and then frowned when she noticed he was hiding something and acting stealthy.

"Sebastian...what?"Brody asked.

"Sssh."The lab tech commanded as he ducked back out the door looked both ways down the hall before stepping back in and shutting the door. "I'm breaking the law."'

"Sebastain."Brody exclaimed as her frown deepened.

"Well at least the hosptial's and I'm sure your doctor won't be happy with this non-nutrious meal."Sebastian explained as he placed the medium sized brown bag down on Merri's bedside table."But I thought you'd deserved to be rescued from hosptial food."

It was then Merri smelled the wonderful aroma coming from the bag.

"Smells heavenly."Brody stated as she opened the bag.

"Nothing too heavy just some things I knew you'd like."Sebastain commented as he sat down.

"Want to split this?"Merri asked knowing she coudln't eat all of it.

"Would love to."The lab tech replied with a smile as he scooted his chair forward.

********
Three hours later Chris returned home. After another hour talking with King he'd gone for a walk along the water. It hadn't done much to ease his burden but it and the talk with Pride had solidified things. In a few weeks he'd no longer be an NCIS thought gave Chris pause. He knew it was the right move yet he'd enjoyed his time with the Navy and there would be things he'd miss. But Chris knew if things worked out in his favor leaving would be a small price to pay.

Chris did a few housekeeping things: dishes, load of laundry then he sank down onto the living room sofa. He found a college basketball game on and spent the rest of the night watching it. For a few hours at least the game kept his thoughts from the changes ahead and from Merri.