Thank you for all the great reviews. I hope I can make it worthwhile to stick with this one.

Chapter 2 – I think I'm over dressed

Brass saw her sitting forlornly in one of the waiting room chairs, her slinky dress a bit out of place in the crowded room and he sucked in a shaky breath.

Of all the things he did in life calling a loved one to tell them that something had happened was the worst part of his job. And friend or no this was no different. Standing in Mr. Foluca's store and watching the EMT's do their work made him antsy and he had to do something so, before he knew it, the phone was in his hand and he had her on the line. She shouldn't have to sit somewhere wondering what happened when he had all the answers.

Calming her the best he could, he told her to meet them at Desert Palms. The last word was barely out of his mouth when the line went dead.

Ah, to have someone that devoted. He could only hope.

Bringing thoughts back to the present he pushed himself forward thinking she looked like a lost little girl and his heart went out to her. She needed to be rescued. That was something he could do.

"Sara," he called and her head shot up followed by herself as she practically leaped out of the chair and hurried toward him only to stop at the sight of dark blotches on his jacket.

"Oh," came her shaky voice as he quickly pulled her cold hands into his warm grasp.

"It's not as bad as it looks."

"But that's . . . that's his blood," she said not able to take her eyes from him.

Brass cupped her chin and gently pulled up nearly caving at the glistening eyes that met his.

"He's here and the doctor's are giving him the once over."

Seeming to take strength from his strong voice, Sara stood a bit straighter and gave him a determined look.

"I need to see him."

Brass smiled. "That's why I'm here. Come on," he said wrapping her in his arm, feeling her tremble against him.

They made their way through the double doors then into the ER, Brass stopping her outside one of the curtained rooms, sliding it back to allow entry. A young man in scrubs and white coat looked up as they entered noting the woman's eyes never leaving the man on the gurney.

"Doc, this is Grissom's other half, Sara," Brass stated watching her grab onto her man's feet sticking out from under the thin sheet draped over him.

The young man smiled at her. "I'm Doctor Aussman."

"Sara Sidle," she answered not bothering to return the look. "Is he going to be okay?" she asked in a soft voice her eyes devouring the beat up landscape of Grissom's face.

Blossoming bruises were forming in various sections of his face; blood trailed down his neck to coat his collar while multiple cuts and lacerations made up the rest. Her eyes settled on the large bloodstain that had soaked through his light blue shirt at the shoulder causing her to raise a hand to her mouth to still the emotions welling up.

"Well it looks a lot worse than it probably is," Aussman answered.

"Probably?"

"I can't be any more definitive than that I'm afraid. Right now we're waiting for him to wake up and tell us if anything else hurts besides what we can see."

"Okay," Sara mumbled reaching for Grissom's still hand and holding tightly.

"And what can we see?" Brass asked.

"The gunshot wound took a piece out of him but nothing vital was damaged. We do need to watch for infection. Now there may be some worries that unseen injuries to his head may have been sustained when the bottles fell on him but his pulse is strong and his breathing is good."

Sara's brow crinkled. "Bottles?"

"I'll explain everything later, Sara," Brass quickly interjected as the doctor pulled up the sheet.

"We're optimistic he'll be coming around shortly," Aussman supplied with a smile then picked up his clipboard and headed toward the curtain. "One of the nurses will be back to clean him up a bit. By the way, whose idea was it to use Kotex?"

"That would be the store owner, Mr. Foluca," Brass answered.

"Ingenious. Well, I've got some paperwork to fill out. Good luck."

"Thank you, Doctor, for all your help," Brass said shaking the man's hand.

"That's why I'm here," Aussman answered then disappeared through the curtain.

"Kotex?" came next from Sara leveling a look at Brass.

"We had to stop the bleeding," he nonchalantly answered as she turned back to Grissom noticing the familiar objects stuck under his shirt.

Leaning in close, she spied more cuts and bruises across his forehead and into his hair just as an oddly familiar odor reached her.

"He smells funny," Sara stated wrinkling her nose.

"Ah, that would be beer," Brass answered with a bit of throat clearing.

She raised a brow at that. "Beer?"

"Yes."

Sara waited but that was all she was going to get at the moment so returned her gaze to Grissom.

"So he was at Mr. Foluca's store and what happened?"

"Seems he stopped there for something and a robbery ensued," Brass gave her trying to be as vague as possible not wanting to give up his friend's surprise. "He managed to wrestle the gun from the robber then plowed into a display of beer just before Mr. Foluca took over with his trusty bat."

Sara smiled at that. She'd seen that bat sitting proudly behind the counter, lines cut into the wood signifying how many times it had saved a life. She would have to thank him come morning.

A groan brought her back and she leaned back in, shutting off the smell, watching his eyelids flicker then slowly open, moving back to slits as the overhead lighting beat on his eyes.

"Hey," she said with a half smile seeing him attempt one just before his split lip reminded him that wasn't such a good idea.

"Hey," he gave her back in a hoarse voice.

"You look like hell," she said gently running fingers across his swollen cheek.

Grissom lazily blinked. "You should see the other guy." He got a light laugh for that.

He loved her laugh.

"Sorry."

She frowned. "For what?"

A puzzled look descended. "Missed our date."

"Well, it looks like you had a good excuse."

Sara was slightly confused at the sheepish look that replaced the puzzlement of moments before but sloughed it off. The man had been shot. He deserved to be a bit befuddled.

"Well, Dr. Grissom," came at them from a loud redheaded nurse as she bustled into the room. "I hear tell ya got yerself into a wee bit o' trouble with bullets and bottles."

His gaze followed her as she neared. "Just a bit," came his answer as she pulled on some gloves then patted his good shoulder.

"Well, don't fret now. Jackie's here and I'll take good care o' you 'til they wheel ya upstairs." She smiled down at him then cast a glance at the other two in the room. "And you would be?"

"Jim Brass."

"Sara Sidle. His . . ."

". . . life," Grissom interjected catching Sara off guard. The loud blush that filled her cheeks made him feel warm and fuzzy. He squeezed her hand tighter.

Jackie smiled. "Always good ta have a woman around when yer hurtin'," she said pushing Brass out of the way. "Small quarters in here, young man."

Before Brass could respond his phone sounded. "That's my cue to leave," he said giving Sara a quick kiss on the cheek. "Keep me informed and call if you need anything."

"I will." She quickly hugged him. "Thanks, Jim."

"Take care of our boy."

She smiled at him and he waved at Grissom before disappearing through the curtain phone in hand.

"Now, yer not squeamish around blood are ya, deary?" she asked.

"Nope."

"All righty then. Let's get to work."