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

Author's Note: Thanks to all of you who took the time to read and review! It's always nice to hear what you think about it. Thanks!

Chapter 10: Game Over

With Pavel Blantic taken care of, the only threat left was Vlad Stavcovic himself. Due to Reese's eavesdropping they knew Sam Braun's casino would be the place where they'd find the middle-aged millionaire.

"Once we get there the two of you stay in the car," Brass said as he locked eyes with the strawberry blonde via the rearview mirror.

"I'm more use out there with you," Catherine quipped.

"No, Catherine. Officer Denver and I will go in and see what's going on. For all we know Stavcovic is still waiting for Blantic to arrive."

"Jim, I can help. I've known Sam for-"

"No," Brass interrupted. As he stopped the car for a traffic light he turned in his seat to face the strawberry blonde. "You're a CSI, not a trained police officer. I can't risk having you out there."

With that said the Captain turned back and put the car in motion again, the casino only five minutes away.

Catherine felt frustrated; though there was a certain truth in Brass' words, she wanted to help nail the bastard who'd hurt her friend. Well, more than just friend, Catherine thought as she looked over at the brunette.

Sara smiled a little as her eyes met sapphire ones. She noticed how Catherine was feeling, she was feeling the same way. She reached over and took the older woman's hand, entwining their fingers and pulling her closer.

"I think we've done enough," Sara said quietly. The event taking its toll on her body -a dull ache continuously present.

"I guess." Catherine sighed as she leaned her head against the bodyguard's shoulder. "But I feel so…"

"Useless. I do too. But Captain Brass is right. He and Reese are trained for this."

Catherine leaned up and placed a chaste kiss on Sara's cheek. "You're right."

Reese smirked as she noticed the incredulous look on Brass' face as the strawberry blonde's words registered. Never had the detective known the CSI to give in that easily.

"Maybe we can give Mr. Braun a heads up," Reese said. "Let him know we're coming?"

"Good idea," Brass replied.

"I'll call him," Catherine replied as she reached into her pocket and pulled out her cell as well as the casino owner's business card.

"Sam, it's Catherine."

"Muggs. Is something wrong? Is there something you need?" the casino hotshot asked.

"Yes. I need you to listen carefully. Raise the casino's security level to max."

"Why? What's going on?"

"Stavcovic is on his way to settle some business with you."

"He's already here. His limousine just arrived."

"Go to the security room and stay there till we get there," Catherine ordered.

"I'll get Franklin to escort him out," the man replied.

"No. Don't. We'll handle him once we're there…which will be in about five more minutes."

"I cannot have that man ruin my business. I'll see what I can do."

"Sam, please listen to me," the strawberry blonde sighed into her cell phone.

"Take care Muggs. I'll see you soon." With that said the casino owner hung up. Catherine snapped her cell shut. She pinched the bridge of her nose as she felt Sara's hand on her thigh.

"Stubborn," Catherine muttered.

"Just like someone else I know." The brunette smiled as she gave the older woman's thigh a squeeze –receiving a mock-glare from Catherine.

"Yeah and I know another person to add to that list," Reese sniggered, soon joined by Brass.

"What was that?" Sara inquired, one eyebrow raised and a look on her face that clearly stated she'd heard Reese's words very well.

"Oh…nothing," Reese replied, winking to Brass. "Really nothing at all."

"That's what I thought," the bodyguard said, a smug smile on her face.

"Stubborn," Brass whispered, nodding his agreement to the young officer.

"So, how do you actually know Mr. Braun?" the brunette asked as she focused her attention on the strawberry blonde sitting next to her.

"We go a long way back. He and my mother were friends," Catherine answered.

"Were?"

"They lost touch, haven't seen each other for years…Though, my sister, Nancy, told me he'd recently sent her a letter…"

The CSI's words were interrupted as they came in view of the casino.

"Shit. Call for backup," Brass ordered Reese as they drove up to the casino's entrance.

All heads turned to where Brass's eyes were glued to. The doors swung open and people were running out, complete panic and chaos taking over the normally calm and relaxed guests.

Both Brass and Reese were out of the car in no time, guns drawn and running into the lobby.

As they got to the reception area they were met by two camps of aimed guns. At one end of the room Stavcovic accompanied by three men were taking refuge, at the other end –behind the reception desk- were Sam Braun, one of his personal bodyguards and one of the casino's security guards –a second lying motionless in front of the desk, blood oozing from the left side of the man's chest.

Reese and Brass had the advantage of being unnoticed by the millionaire while Braun had been told about their arrival.

The bodyguard noticed Brass, and as the Captain motioned he'd try to circle around them, he gave a short nod. Reese watched Brass signaling her to try and get to the other side of the room –that way she'd position herself between doors leading to the casino's large gambling room and the reception desk, giving her a clear view of Stavcovic.

Just as she started to move towards said place, the doors leading to the gambling room opened and an employee walked in – not knowing about the situation in the lobby.

The woman's eyes practically bulged out of their sockets as she saw a gun pointed at her. She froze where she stood, right in the line of fire.

Reese knew she'd have to act quickly and so she got out of her hiding place, sprinted over and threw her arm around the blonde's waist, pulling her along behind a large green plant.

"Are you alright?" Reese asked as she seated the woman behind the shelter of the green leaves.

"Yeah…yes," was the blonde's shaky reply. Their eyes met for only a second, but Reese knew she was hooked on them –the woman's staring emerald green eyes were so addictive.

"Good. Don't move. Stay here," Reese said as she forced herself to turn away from those beautiful eyes and check Brass' position.

"Where's the backup? What's taking them so long?" Sara asked as she started to fidget in her seat.

"I can't stand it any longer," Catherine said as she had just seen Reese sprint through the line of fire and grab an employee while she had been looking inside through the open doors.

"Neither can I," the brunette quipped as she started to open the door. "But you'll have to help me," she added while pointing at her leg.

"Of course," Catherine replied as she got out of the car as well.

"Good," Sara said as she un-holstered her gun. "Do you know if there's another way in?"

"Yes, there is," the strawberry blonde replied as she placed her arm around Sara's waist. Together they headed to the other side of the building.

"This way we'll be able to get to the lobby via the wardrobe area," Catherine said as they reached the service entrance. Though the plastered leg didn't hinder the bodyguard while walking, each step she took she did feel a pain shoot through her leg. But this didn't stop her from getting inside, to help out Brass and Reese.

As they crept into the lobby, Brass immediately spotted them –a roll of his eyes and a shake of his head their greeting.

Reese noticed Sara and Catherine as well, and now they outnumbered Stavcovic and his men, she realized they'd be able to stop the madman.

She saw Captain Brass signing things to the bodyguard and the CSI. Just as he turned to her, the Latina noticed from the corner of her eye that Sam Braun left his place behind the reception desk, giving Stavcovic plenty of room to use him as a human target.

Without much thought Reese sprinted over, her gun aimed at the millionaire. As she jumped in front of the casino owner she started firing her gun at Stavcovic and his cohorts.

All hell broke loose, bullets flying everywhere. One bullet hit Stavcovic in his leg, causing him to lose his balance and fall. Another hit one of the other men in his shoulder. Sara managed to fire a round and hit another of Stavcovic's men in his upper arm.

Unnoticed by the others, Stavcovic managed to crawl back up and fire his gun, hitting the police officer who was just pushing Sam Braun back behind the desk.

The young woman fell to the floor in front of the desk -nothing between her and the millionaire. Again, Stavcovic aimed at the dark-haired woman, but before he could squeeze off another round Brass fired and hit the man in his shoulder, stopping him from causing more harm to Denver.

Right at that moment, backup finally arrived and soon Stavcovic and his cohorts were all overmastered.

"Reese!" Sara quickly staggered over to where the young woman was still lying on the floor. The police officer was looking very pale and she seemed unresponsive.

"Reese?" the brunette asked again as she knelt down next to the younger woman and started to examine where she'd been hit.

Though the front of her sand-colored blouse was now covered with blood, there fortunately was no big gaping gunshot wound to be found in Reese's chest.

"I'm okay," Reese groaned as she tried to sit up. The bodyguard then noticed the hole in the officer's sleeve, blood seeping out.

"Hang on," Sara said as she re-holstered her Glock, ripping off the other sleeve of Reese's blouse to use it as a tourniquet on her friend's arm.

Catherine walked over, just ending a phone call. "EMT's on its way."

"How are the others doing?" Sara asked as she pulled the piece of fabric really tight around the officer's arm.

"Sam's okay," Catherine started. "Thanks to you," she added as she looked at the Latina. "The security guard didn't make it…Neither did Stavcovic."

"Asshole got what he deserved," the bodyguard growled.

"Sara." Catherine tried to calm the brunette by placing her hand on Sara's shoulder, giving her a little squeeze.

"Denver, you idiot," Brass scolded as he came walking towards them. "And not to mention the two of you," he added, looking from the CSI to the bodyguard. Turning back his attention to the police officer he continued on a lighter tone. "Well done, Denver. I think someone's up for promotion."

"Thank you, Sir," Reese replied. Though the pain in her arm wasn't that bad, the blood loss caused her to feel lightheaded, making it hard for her to focus on what was going on around her. That is, until she noticed the employee she'd saved walking towards her.

"Will she be alright?" the blonde asked worriedly as she kneeled down next to Reese, her eyes immediately locking on the officer's.

"I'm…I'm okay," Reese replied as she struggled to get up onto her feet, but as she pushed herself up with her arm, pain caused her to almost black-out.

"Reese Olivia Denver. Keep your bottom seated on the ground," the bodyguard said sternly as she pushed the young woman to the floor.

Brass who'd just headed off to meet the EMTs came walking back, one paramedic in tow.

"Make some room," the Captain ordered. "And you two come with me," he added as he motioned for Sara to follow.

As the paramedic set to assess Reese's arm, the casino employee never left her side. "I didn't get the chance to thank you for before," the blonde started as she once again got the Latina's full attention. "Thank you, Officer Denver, for saving my life," she said seriously as she placed her hand on the cop's upper leg.

Reese looked at the woman's hand, the blonde's thumb caressing her thigh.

"No thanks needed. All part of the job, Ma'am," the dark-haired woman said as she finally managed to look up and into the blonde's emerald eyes again.

"If there's anything I can do to repay you…" the woman trailed off as she got distracted by seeing the police officer biting on her lower lip.

Reese had to stop a groan from flying out, the treatment of the paramedic being very painful at that moment. It took her a while to find her equilibrium again and after a deep breath she said, "Your name would be enough."

"Sorry Ma'am. We need to get her moving now," the paramedic interrupted as he pushed the blonde aside to make room for a second EMT who just brought in a gurney.

Sara and Catherine, who'd just been reprimanded for their stupid action of going inside as well as thanked for their help by Brass, both noticed something was going on over at the other end of the room where Reese was helped onto a gurney and wheeled out, the casino employee staying behind with a surprised look on her face.

The two women headed over, the taller of the two leaning on the other for support.

"Ma'am?" Catherine started and as the blonde turned to face her she continued. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah…I'm fine," the woman answered absentmindedly as she turned back to search for the charming dark-haired police officer.

The CSI and the bodyguard locked eyes and both new what to do next…

"I think you need to be checked by the paramedics," Sara stated as she walked further towards the woman.

"What?" the blonde asked, still not paying full attention to the two women next to her.

"Your cheek," Sara said, pointing to the red scrapes.

The woman finally snapped out of it and turned back to Catherine and Sara. She raised her hand and touched her cheek. As soon as her fingertips touched the raw skin she realized the spot caused a stinging pain.

"Come on," the brunette said as she pulled her along, the three of them heading for the exit, following the paramedics to their ambulance.

"Wait up, guys!" Catherine called as she spotted one of them closing the doors of the ambulance.

The EMT helped her into the rig and just before he closed the door the two women heard the blonde's voice.

"Taylor."

As the ambulance sped off Sara and Catherine turned at each other and started smiling. "Mission accomplished," the bodyguard said as she pulled the strawberry blonde close.

"You think so?" Catherine inquired as she locked eyes with the brunette.

"I know so," Sara answered smugly.

"Well, let me take you home so I can accomplish my mission," the older woman replied huskily.

The brunette gulped audibly as she felt Catherine's body push even further into her own tall frame, the closeness of the CSI stirring a fire within. With Catherine's arm firmly placed around her waist, the brunette led them back inside to find Brass and see whether they needed to stay any longer.

After being told by the Captain he'd see them the next morning they left the casino. They got into a cab and Catherine gave the driver directions to her place.

They were quiet the entire ride, content with holding each other's hands and looking at one another.

It was time to forget about all that happened. About Stavcovic. About Sam Braun –even if it was only for a short while.

It was time to focus on one another. To see where things would lead between the two of them.

This game was over…

…But it would only be a matter of time for the next one to start.

THE END

Thank you for taking time to read this story.