Title: Reminder
author: Cindy Ryan
spoilers: Spoilers for 1x11 Baitfish
notes and summary: see part one
Chris LaSalle's ears were ringing and his head pounding as he tried to focus his blurry vision. He scrambled to his feet a little too fast nearly tripping over a severed chair leg. As he stared around at the chaos around him Chris's numb mind registered one thing; bomb. His worst nightmare come true. His NCIS family in the line of fire. People he loved hurt or killed before his eyes.
At that thought Chris frantically searched the area around him. He saw Loretta being aided by a middle aged man in uniform. Turning Chris saw King wobble to his feet. Back near Loretta a woozy Sebastian was sitting up. Brody was nowhere in sight and she'd been right next to him. Chris's heart squeezed painfully as he began shouting his partner's name.
"Brody!"Chris called walking forward and turning debris over as he went.
A grim Sebastian joined him.
"Meredith!"Chris yelled once more. "Mere?!"
Sebastian did a double take at the nickname but Chris ignored the tech. His focus was his partner. She had to be okay, just had to be.
"There!"Sebastian shouted having double backed.
Chris whirled around and was lying face down half covered by a table top. Chris yanked the debris away from his partner and gently turned her over. Meredith was pale and far too still.
"Mere?"Chris asked hoarsely.
Jerking awake Chris fought to control his breathing. Sweating and shaking slightly he glanced over at his wife to find Meredith sleeping peacefully. Damn nightmare, Chris cursed silently, he hadn't had that one for years.
Even after all this time that case haunted his dreams now and again. He hadn't had it since he and Meredith had gotten married. Quietly getting out of bed Chris left the room. He crossed the hall and peaked into the nursery; his daughter was asleep too. Chris closed the door and went downstairs.
It was a warm night for early spring and they'd left some of the living room windows open. Chris crossed through the living room. He took a bottle of water out of the fridge and went out to the back porch. A previous owner had screened in the area and it was one of Chris's favorite spaces. He left the lights off and sat down. He took a long drink of water trying to get his heart rate back under control. The memories wouldn't leave him be just yet.
While his subconscious had mixed and played with some of the events to form the nightmare some had been true. He had found Meredith unconscious. But she'd been just a few feet away and had woken Chris wouldn't forget the relief he'd felt that day when he realized she was alright.
Chris was still sitting there twenty minutes later when soft footfalls drew his attention to the doorway. He saw Meredith wearing a light satin blue robe. She walked over and sat down next to him.
"Sorry, didn't mean to wake you."Chris apologized as he took a sip of water.
Meredith shook her head as she reached over and took her husband's free hand in hers.
"You didn't."Meredith replied quietly. "Couldn't sleep or bad dream?"
"Nightmare I hadn't had in awhile."Chris admitted as he met his wife's gaze. "Bombing where Orion was hurt. My subconscious likes to put you as an injured party too."
"You never told me about that one."Meredith stated softly.
"Not one I like to talk about."Chris responded as he freed his left hand from Meredith's and wrapped it around her shoulders drawing her into an embrace. The porch swing shifted at the movement.
"We've been through a lot together."Meredith said quietly as she looked out a the dark yard.
"Yeah we have."Chris acknowledged as he placed a light kiss on his wife's forehead. "I'm grateful every day for what we have."
Meredith entwined their left hands once more.
"Me too."Meredith commented. "I love you."
"I love you too."Chris said huskily.
"You want to stay here for awhile?"Meredith asked a few minutes later.
"If you'll stay."Chris replied.
"I'll stay as long as you'd like."Meredith said as she snuggled against his left side.
Chris kissed her once more. As they broke apart he looked outside once more. The nightmare's hold on him had eased. Hopefully it wouldn't come back He didn't need the reminder. Chris knew how lucky he was and he made a silent promise to Meredith that he wouldn't forget it. They had lots of memories still to make together and he was looking forward to every single one.
end
