Disclaimer: CSI belongs to CBS and Jerry Bruckheimer. Vlad Stavcovic, the Blantic brothers, Ellie Wilson, and Denver, however, are mine.

A/N: Thanks for all the reviews!

Chapter 7: No More Bets

Dr. Jeffries had stopped by minutes after Brass'd left and he informed them that Sara had to stay for observation that night and that if things were alright in the morning she would be released.

And so, Catherine stayed at the hospital -at the bodyguard's side the entire time- only stepping out of the room to call her sister Nancy to inform her she'd not be able to bring Lindsey to school in the morning.

Sara had a fit-full sleep. Besides the obligatory waking by a nurse every other hour she would shoot upright in her bed almost every hour, drenched in sweat, pain coursing through her body.

Everything that had happened to her came back to haunt her as soon as she closed her eyes.

Fortunately for her, a certain strawberry blonde CSI stayed at her side, calming and comforting her.

It was around 4 a.m. when a nurse came to check on Sara. As she woke the brunette, Catherine, who'd fallen asleep on the very uncomfortable chair, also sat back up, stretching her arms and legs.

"Alright," the nurse said as she quickly noted something down on Sara's chart. "Last check'll be round 6."

The nurse gave Catherine a short nod, then walked off, continuing her nightly round.

The strawberry blonde stood beside the brunette, looking down into hazel eyes which seemed to capture her each time she looked at them.

"Hey," Sara started as she raised her arm, her hand reaching for the CSI's.

"Hi," Catherine smiled. She entwined their fingers and bent down to place a lingering kiss on the bodyguard's fingers. The simple, soft caress of Catherine's lips caused Sara's eyes to flutter closed as her stomach started doing leaps.

The younger woman sighed as she opened her eyes again and noticed the look on Catherine's face. Though the strawberry blonde looked very tired with her sleep-filled eyes, disheveled hair, and creased clothes she'd never looked more beautiful to Sara than at that moment.

The bodyguard was grateful that Catherine had stayed with her, but she suddenly felt selfish just because of that.

She hadn't thought about it before…

Lindsey.

Catherine probably wanted to go home to her daughter.

Suddenly avoiding the CSI's sapphire eyes she spoke up again, "You should go home, get some sleep…in a comfortable bed. I'll be alright."

Catherine raised an eyebrow. "You're not serious, are you?"

Sara didn't respond.

"You really think I'm going to let you out of my sight? After all that happened to you?" Catherine asked incredulously.

Sara still avoided the strawberry blonde's eyes, looking at their entwined fingers. "Shouldn't you be with your daughter?"

"She's in good hands, she's staying at my sister's. No need to worry about her. There's someone else who needs me now," Catherine said as she cupped the bodyguard's chin and forced her to look at her.

"Listen carefully. My daughter is very important to me, and most of the times she comes first. However there are exceptions. And you," the older woman said as she leaned closer to Sara's face. "Are the very first exception I'm going to make. I'm not going anywhere."

Before Sara could reply Catherine claimed her lips, hoping to convey how much she meant what she'd just said.

Meanwhile at the PD…

Brass was sitting in his office, drinking his umpteenth cup of coffee while reading through the files of the kidnapping and attempted murder of the bodyguard.

Sam Braun didn't give him much information at first. Not that the detective had thought the hotshot casino owner would help the investigation in any way.

But when the Captain got a phone call from Grissom -and Braun overheard the conversation- his attitude changed.

"Excuse me," Brass said as his phone started to ring. He stood up and took a few paces away from the table where Sam Braun was seated.

"Brass."

"Yes, I know."

"Maybe. How about her apartment?"

"Alright."

"I'll make sure Archie gets a copy of the call."

"Catherine...she's still at the hospital."

All the while Brass had watched Braun. The man's posture didn't show a hint of tension, nor interest in the interrogation or the conversation Brass was having on the phone whatsoever.

Until the name of a certain strawberry blonde CSI was mentioned…

The casino owner sat up straight, straining his ears to catch everything that was said.

"Alright. I'll meet you in an hour." The detective put his cell away and walked back to the table.

"I didn't know there was an officer down," Sam Braun started, keeping his cool and feigning uninterest.

"There isn't," Brass replied. "Then again, what has that got to do with you?"

Sam Braun didn't answer the detective. Ignoring the question he spoke up, "Listen, I don't even know this Stavcovic. He paid big money for a room at my casino and a car. As long as people pay I don't ask about their business. Now, if you don't have anything else," Sam said as he stood up.

"Actually," Brass said as he held up his hand, motioning Braun back to his seat. "I'm not completely done yet. How about Blantic?"

"Who?" Braun asked, a look of surprise on his face.

"Your head of security," Brass quipped.

"You mean Banting, Jake," the casino owner said.

"Wrong. I thought that certainly a person like you'd thoroughly screen the people you hire for personal security," Brass said. "Jake Blantic has…well, had connections with Stavcovic and this here," the detective spoke as he opened a file and threw it open in front of Braun. "Is a little note we found in the car Blantic used. It has details about the security system and vault of your casino."

"What?!" Braun practically yelled as he nearly lost his cool.

"They were planning to rob your vault," Brass smirked.

"That son of a b-"

"You still don't have anything to tell about Stavcovic?"

It took some time, but Brass had been able to get Braun to share some he knew about Stavcovic. Now he at least had an idea where to look for the millionaire.

Sam Braun stood after he'd told the detective about Stavcovic's last whereabouts. His entire demeanor had changed during the conversation with Brass. Walking over to the detective he extended his hand for Brass to shake. "I hope you keep me posted on this, especially on things concerning my casino."

A bit surprised Brass let go of the other man's hand. "I sure will."

"Good. Now," he added as he reached into his jacket. "Here's my card, you can reach me at this number anytime."

"Geeh, thanks," Brass huffed, still thrown off by the casino owner's behavior.

After Braun's questioning Brass had retreated himself to his office for some quiet time. And so, he sat there, reading the file, another cup emptied of its coffee. He would meet Grissom in half an hour at the CSI HQ to go over some of the evidence they'd found.

Suddenly there was a knock at the door.

"Yes."

"Sir," a uniformed cop came walking in. "Here's the file you asked for," the young woman said as she handed it to the detective.

"Thank you, Denver."

"Sir, can I ask you something," the cop asked.

"That depends on what it's about, Denver," Brass said as he perused through the papers.

"I'd like to help you with this case."

"And why is that?" Brass asked, still not taking his eyes off of the sheets.

"Because I know how to find Mr. Stavcovic."

That got his attention…

Brass' head shot up and he met green eyes staring at him intently. "You do?"

"Yes," the young woman replied.

"Close the door and take a seat," Brass said sternly.