CSI isn't mine. No infringement of any kind is intended. Rusty is a character I created for another series. I brought her back because she was insisting I do.
Chapter 1-Strangers in the Night
Gil Grissom and Jim Brass decided to go and play poker at the Tangiers. They had already reserved a table for the evening. Grissom had decided in order to keep friends, he had to interact with them. He liked Jim. They got along pretty well at work and had gone fishing a few times out at lake Meade together. Neither of them had anyone to really do the male bonding thing with, so when Jim suggested a night of poker. Grissom had agreed. They would eat dinner there and perhaps check out the slots later.
Grissom and Jim talked about their latest case now that it was over as they walked into the bar area, Jim leading the way. Jim looked at what was sitting at the bar or rather who was. He almost screeched to a dead stop, causing Grissom to bump into him. Jim hadn't moved an inch in about 30 seconds.
"Jim what is it?" Asked Grissom looking around.
"More like who." Said Jim as he pointed to a gorgeous redhead sitting at the bar. Or rather draped over it.
"Oh, well come on and let's……….." Grissom stopped talking when he got a good look at her. "Interesting."
"Just interesting? How long has it been since you saw something that looked that good." Said Jim. The woman took a sip of her drink maneuvered her legs around crossing the other one over the one that she had been showing off before. She carefully adjusted her short, black sequined halter dress and took another sip of Tequila.
"Jim, we see Catherine every day." Said Grissom.
"Yeah, but the chances……….oh hell what am I saying. The chances with Miss Legs Up to Her Ass over there are slim and none too. It just shocked me seeing her." Said Jim.
"Do you know her?" Asked Grissom.
"No, but I sure would like to know her." Said Jim smiling and elbowing Grissom. "Why don't we just see what she is doing. Watch her a little while."
"What? She's minding her own business Jim. She's not a suspect." said Grissom.
"Oh I'm sure she is suspected of something. I'd book her for driving to intoxicate, myself." said Jim as they began to walk over to a table. Grissom smirked a smile at him and chuckled a little.
"Well Jim at least you know your not dead. A woman like that tends to make you take notice. I noticed believe me." Said Grissom.
"You really are getting to be yourself again. That's great. For a while there……."
"I know Jim. I'm back." Said Grissom. They got some cards and some poker chips and Grissom dealt the first hand.
"She's not old." Said Jim. Who by now had surveyed every inch of her.
"No, she's not. She is probability in her thirties." Said Grissom.
"Why are all the drop dead, gorgeous one's old enough to be my daughters?" He asked.
"Just luck I guess Jim." Said Grissom with a smirk chiding him.
"Yeah right." said Jim as he put more chips into the pot. "I'll call you and raise……." Out of the corner of his eye he saw her get two more shot glasses get the bottle she was drinking on and she was headed strait for them. "Holy……..Gil she is coming over."
"Well do you blame her? I mean you have been surveying her like a piece of real estate for the last hour. Ok, so I have too but more covertly." said Grissom as the woman sauntered over smiling at them. She put the two clean shot glasses on the table next to each man revealing the 10 miles of cleavage she had. Then she put the third, hers on the table with the bottle.
"Evening Fellas." She said in a Texas drawl dripping with honey. "Mind if I cut in on the action?" she asked.
"Good evening Miss. Your welcome to join us if you want too." Said Grissom. By now Jim had lost his tongue but would find it pretty soon. She smiled at Grissom and he go up to pull her chair out for her.
"Thank you." She said getting settled. "I'm Rusty McDowall from Dallas, Texas."
"I'm Gil Grissom and this is my friend Jim Brass." said Grissom.
"Pleased to meet you boys." she said smiling at each of them.
Jim just smiled, cleared his throat then he hoped words would come out. He felt a little busted at the moment. "Pleased to meet you Miss McDowall." He finally got out.
"You boys want to share the bottle with me?" She asked.
"I'll take a double but that's it." Said Grissom.
"Me too." Said Jim.
"He doesn't talk much does he?" Rusty asked Grissom.
"Oh, I don't know he was doing pretty good just a few minutes ago." Said Grissom chiding Jim again. Jim shrugged a little and kind of gave Grissom a semi dirty look. Grissom groused a smirk at him.
"I did notice you two were eyeing me. Should I be worried?" She asked playfully.
"No, Miss McDowall. I'm Las Vegas Police and Gil here is with the crime lab." Said Jim. "We were just ah……admiring you."
"Well I just wondered. I myself am law enforcement. I'm in Vegas for a much needed vacation. My best friends got married two days ago and I felt like it was time to get out on my own and see what things were like in the world." She said.
"Girlfriends?" Asked Jim of the couple that got married and he had no idea why he had said that. The word was out before he could stop himself.
"Oh no……." She giggled. "Oh the way I phrased that……….no man and woman. I have just known them all my life and now they are getting together. I felt a little out of place now that they paired up. There were three of us so someone was going to get the short end of the stick." She said.
"So you were the one that got it. Yeah I know the feeling well Miss McDowall." Said Jim. "That stick tends to chafe after a while. "
"Yeah, it does. They didn't mean to hurt me. I know that but…….I was burning out at my job too. 17 years of taking in the bad guys without a vacation tends to make you grumpy as hell." Said Rusty.
"Try 30 years with only like 5 vacations." said Jim.
"Oh my, you must be a very committed cop." Said Rusty smiling at Jim.
"Yes I guess so or should be committed one of the two." He quipped.
She giggled. "Yeah, I guess I'm getting commitment papers too very soon."
"So what do you do law enforcement wise down in Texas?" said Grissom.
"I work for the government." Said Rusty.
"You don't look like a Fed." Said Jim.
"Well………I'm not. I'm a secretary for the Supervisor over the teams." Said Rusty.
"Oh." Said Jim.
"Yeah." said Rusty.
As Rusty was about to say something else gunfire was heard. Rusty instinctively looked around to see where it was coming from. Jim and Gil had already hit the dirt then they would find out where the shots were coming from. Jim pulling Rusty down and under the poker table and under him on her back.
"What the hell are you doing?" She asked as he struggled with her to keep her under him without much success.
"I'm saving your life." He said as he finally got her down enough.
"I don't need saving." Said Rusty she struggled under him a little more to pull out her credentials and a small .32 Derringer she had stuffed in a garter holster under her dress and between her thighs.
Jim saw her do it. "Secretary my ass." He said going for his backup strapped to his leg.
"Ok, so I'm not a secretary. Where is your badge?" Said Rusty.
Jim pulled his badge out of his pants pocket showed it too her. Then she showed hers to him.
Gil was watching feet coming around the corner and another shot rang out.
"You two love birds had better quit the I'll show you mine, if you show me yours routine. We have company. I'm not armed." Said Gil.
Jim and Rusty looked at each other. He had pulled her face first under him she was looking up at him. Jim let her up from under him.
"Thanks." Said Rusty.
"Yeah." Said Jim. "Gil you stay here. I'll go and get a better look."
"Not without me your not." Said Rusty.
"Oh, your really going crawling in that dress." Said Jim sarcastically.
"Watch me and eat my dust." Said Rusty a little angrily and started crawling.
"She's a live one. That's for sure." Said Jim as he crawled off after her. Grissom shrugged and stayed where he was.
There was a man with a woman holding a gun to her head. "Let me out of here or she's dead." Said the man. Security had already been called. They were there but it wasn't doing much good. Hostage situations were tricky at best. Rusty and Jim looked at each other again.
"I'll call for back up." Said Jim doing that on his cell phone. "They will send a hostage negotiator."
"Yeah and by the time he or she gets here that woman could be dead." Said Rusty. Go on and call for back up. I have two shots in here. You and I will have to improvise Detective Brass." said Rusty.
"Figures." Said Jim a little agitated. "Oh and it's Captain, Agent McDowall."
"Look, I know feathers are ruffled but you know just as well as I do I couldn't tell you what I was until I had reason too, so stop with the bull shit. We have a situation here." She said.
"Yeah, ok your right you shouldn't be broadcasting the fact you're a Fed. I'm sorry." Said Jim.
"Apology excepted. Now, the way I see it is this boy isn't going to let that woman go unless someone makes him." She said as she crawled to the other side of the bar.
"Where are you going?" He asked crawling off after her.
"I'm going for another weapon." Said Rusty. "Stay here and watch what he does."
"Yeah ok." Said Jim. She had seniority in this situation being a Fed. Jim knew better than to cross her even if she was on vacation or was that a ruse too? Jim watched what was going on and called the situation in to dispatch.
Rusty went behind the bar. The bartender was there huddled in a corner. She was scared and she had a right to be. Rusty had hung her badge around her neck.
"Hey, I'm one of the good guys. Darlin' you have an ice pick somewhere around here?" She asked the young woman.
"Y-yes. Up there next to the ice machine." Said the young woman.
"Thanks. Try not to be so scared this is going to be over in just a little bit if I have my say. Just stay put ok?" Said Rusty as she started looking for the ice pick found it and then she crawled off over toward Jim who had by then called in the situation.
"Back up is coming." said Jim as Rusty came back.
"Good, they can clean this shit up after we get done." Said Rusty.
"Ice Pick?" Asked Jim.
"Well, I only have two shots in my pea shooter. If I see an opportunity I'm going to use this thing." Said Rusty.
"Don't tell me your going to throw it." Said Jim.
"Ok so I wont." Said Rusty. "Let's make the announcement. When he turns he will let her go for a split second to see who is talking to him then I'll throw this to wound him."
"Are you crazy?" Asked Jim. "That's suicide."
"Oh no it isn't. I have had to do this many times. Don't worry it will be over soon if I can get a clear shot with the ice pick." Said Rusty.
"What if you can't." Said Jim.
"I will, I promise you. I keep my promises Captain Brass." Said Rusty. Jim looked over at the man who still had the woman.
They asked him what he wanted. Sam Braun was called to help defuse the situation. He was standing just outside the bar area. The man wanted a way out of the casino. See he was on the loosing end of black jack and owed the casino money. The man had taken the black jack dealer hostage in order to leave without paying up.
"Agent McDowall. That is Sam Braun out there do you know of him?" Asked Jim.
"Yeah I know, his file is yeh thick." She said showing him. "He is old time Vegas. Settles things with outlaw diplomacy." Said Rusty.
"Ok, just as long as you know." Said Jim.
"I'm going to get a better shot. I'll be right over there. When I get there and see a clear shot you announce ok?" she asked. "Please?"
"Ok, I don't think this is going to work but………" She had already sneaked off. When she got into position she nodded.
"Freeze Las Vegas Police!" Yelled Jim. As the man turned and was getting another hold on the woman Rusty threw the ice pick hitting the man in the hand with the gun making him drop it and the woman too. He howled in pain seeing the ice pick in his hand. The hostage ran off in the direction of the security guards and Sam Braun.
Both Jim and Rusty had come out from where they had been lying in wait. Both had their guns pointed at the man.
"Put your hands behind your head." said Jim.
"Right Now." Said Rusty all business like with no pleasure in her voice. "Slowly."
Jim kept a bead on him while Rusty patted him down for other weapons. The gun was all he had. He still had the ice pick sticking in his hand and was pretty much doing what ever Rusty and Jim wanted him too. Amidst the carrying on he was doing.
"Take it out!" He cried.
"Not until the paramedics get here. Now shut up and sit down!" Yelled Rusty. As she man handled him down to a chair. The security guards came in and cuffed him followed by Sam Braun.
Sam saw Brass and a woman doing the work his guards couldn't do. Jim was reading him his rights and Rusty standing by for back up. Sam saw she was a Fed. Although he was happy they got the job done and the situation diffused he didn't like the fact it was a Federal agent that helped bring him down. He would have to lay on the charm with this woman. He also wanted to find out why she was in his casino. She was tough even if she looked soft.
"Captain Brass." Said Sam.
"Sam." Said Jim.
"Who is this lady?" Asked Sam.
"Rusty McDowall." She said.
"Fed." Said Sam.
"Yes." She said. It was her call and Jim knew it. "I was on vacation."
"Well, Federal Agents need vacations too." Said Sam smiling at her. Jim looked over at Rusty and gave her the be cautious look. She took that at face value with him.
"How long are you here for Miss McDowall?" Asked Sam. He was trying to not call too much attention to her.
"Oh, I thought a month. Maybe two." Said Rusty. "I have a lot of vacation time. I thought this was the best time to take it. Looks like I can't get away from law enforcement to save my life."
"Well, take two of those weeks on me Miss McDowall. Anything you want just ask." Said Sam shaking hands with Rusty. "Captain, my thanks to you and Miss McDowall here. That was quite a bit of teamwork."
"Thanks." Said Jim. Sam knew better than to try to shake Jim's hand. "An officer will be with you shortly to ask some questions."
"Ok then. Thanks again both of you." Said Sam. He knew it was better to catch flies with honey than vinegar. Sam smiled and left them to their work.
Vartan and Vega came right after Sam Braun left. They took Jim and Rusty's statements. Grissom was already gathering evidence when Nick and Warrick got there. There wasn't much to gather but Grissom had them comb the place anyway.
Rusty sat back a the poker table with Jim and Grissom after thing got cleaned up.
"I'm sorry I couldn't tell you." Said Rusty.
"That's ok." Said Grissom. "I know you don't need to broadcast the fact."
"I do too." Said Jim. "That was some bit of police work. Did you see her throw that ice pick Gil?"
"Yes I saw that. Impressive to say the least Miss McDowall." said Grissom.
"Thanks. Why don't we drop the formalities now boys since we had a little action together. I'm Rusty." She said.
"Jim."
"Gil."
"Great now that we have done all this……….I don't know about you boys but I'm bushed. As soon as they let us go I'm going up to my room." Said Rusty.
"That's a shame." Said Jim.
"Why's that Jim?" She asked.
"Well, we never did get to play a game and that bottle of yours is still half full." Said Jim.
"Ok, one hand then Rusty is turning into a pumpkin." She said.
Nick came over to the table.
"Scuse me, Boss but I need to talk to you." Said Nick.
"Ok Nick. Oh, this is Rusty McDowall. Rusty this is Nick Stokes, he's with the crime lab." Said Grissom introducing the two.
"Pleased to meet you Ma'am." Said Nick smiling and looking her over.
"Likewise." said Rusty as they shook hands. "You from Texas?" She asked.
"Yeah, Dallas area. You?" He asked.
"Dallas proper." Said Rusty.
"Cool. 'Scuse me again ma'am, Boss they want to take the ice pick out of the guys hand for us to take into evidence. They say they need to take him to the hospital to do that. It's in there pretty good. Who did that anyway?" Asked Nick.
"Rusty did." Said Grissom smirking a smile again.
"Then she threw it?" Asked Nick.
"Yes she did Nick." Said Jim.
Rusty smiled up at Nick.
"Man, I would have loved to see that." Said Nick. "I guess either me or Warrick can ride with him to the hospital and take it from the doc there."
"That's fine Nick." Said Grissom. "I want to see the wound. Would you excuse me for a moment Jim, Rusty."
"Sure." Said Rusty as Grissom smiled.
"Nice meeting you Ma'am." Said Nick and left they for a moment.
Jim turned his attention to Rusty. Which wasn't that hard. He looked at her for a moment. Surveying again.
She was a beautiful woman he thought. Her medium auburn, lightly highlighted hair cascaded into spiral curls to just past her shoulders. Those haunting light brown eyes almost doe like and her skin, peaches and cream. She had a wonderful figure and a voice he had only dreamt about. He shook off the enamored feeling and look he no doubt had planted on his face fast. He smiled at her.
"Like I said that was some bit of police work." Said Jim admiringly.
"Well, we did work well together after we both calmed down and got our feathers back in place." She said as she poured a double Tequila for both of them.
"I want to propose a toast." Said Jim.
"Ok." said Rusty raising her glass.
"To Beauty and Brains with a Badge all in one nicely packaged lady." Said Jim as they clanked the shot glasses together.
"Aw, now…….Your going to make me blush." Said Rusty smiling and giggling a little. She took a sip and he did too. "That was sweet of you Darlin'." She patted his hand with hers.
"Well, I miss judged you before, after you taking over so quickly like you did. I know it's instinctive. But you also know it was instinctive for me to try and protect you." Said Jim.
"Forgotten ok Jim? Let's start over." Said Rusty.
"Ok deal." Said Jim. She asked by taking the bottle and offering him another shot of Tequila. He sat the glass over so she could pour him another.
"I have to warn you Jim, I'm pretty stout as far as alcohol is concerned." She said.
"I'm not and one more is all I'm going to partake of. I have to drive home and how is it going to look me driving intoxicated." Said Jim sipping at the Jose' Gold.
Meanwhile walking out to the Ambulance.
"Boss she's a babe." Said Nick.
"Yes she is." Said Grissom.
"You two and her……….?"
"No, Nick she's a lady. Jim was staring her down pretty hard before and she called him on it." said Grissom.
"I'd stare her down too. Man she's………."
"I know Nick now let me see what this wound looks like." Said Grissom taking the suspects hand and looking at it. "Amazing."
"Yeah it is." said Nick.
"It hurts like hell take it out!" the guy whined again.
"In due time sir." Said Grissom "Look, she hit him though the flesh and did not hit the bone."
"It is amazing. She staying in town a little while?" Asked Nick.
"Seems like she is. She is on vacation. Said something like two months here. I have really no idea why."
"Well maybe we will see her again. A woman like this is hard to miss even here in Vegas." Said Nick. "She's got real written all over her."
"Yes and a few other things too Nick." said Grissom.
"Aint that the truth." Said Nick smiling on the thought of Rusty.
Jim and Rusty continued talking while Grissom was seeing about the suspect's wound. Jim was becoming at ease with her with the help of Jose' Gold. But he was acting like a gentleman.
"I saw you watching me earlier." Said Rusty.
"Well…….I'm sorry I was staring you down. It's not every day I see someone as beautiful as you are in this town." Said Jim fessing up a little.
"It's ok Darlin'. I get this most of the time but never with such admiration and respect. You were doing it thoughtfully." She said.
Jim thought for a moment. "Oh boy, is she intuitive." He said to himself. He cleared his throat again. "Well, it was hard to keep my mind on the poker game. I will confess that."
"I know." She giggled. She looked at her watch. "Do you think they are done with me now?"
"I would think so." Said Jim. "If there is anything else I'll contact you." He gave her one of his business cards scribbling his cell number on the back. She looked at it and put it inside her purse. She then gave him her card and did the same with her cell on the back of the card, which he looked at and put inside his wallet.
She got a fairly sly glint in her eyes. "Jim, Darlin' are you done with me?" She asked and turned the sly glint into an almost innocent one.
Jim got a playful look on his face. She was flirting with him. Something that hadn't happen in a long time. He thought. "What the hell, it's been a long time since anything that built had flung flirtation at him." Rusty was good at it. "Well, Rusty you did say you were tired and I don't want to out wear my welcome with you." Said Jim. "But I will say this. I could never be "done" with you as you put it. It would take the rest of my life to do that."
"I was afraid of that." said Rusty a giggle escaping. "But thanks for the flirt back."
"I meant that Rusty." Said Jim. She put her hand on top of his.
"Thank you." Said Rusty. "I kinda thought you did."
"I thought I had forgotten how." Said Jim confessing again. He wasn't going for a another double. Another one and he'd be too drunk to drive and maybe more amorous than he should be with her.
"Oh no Jim, that's something that when you have it you never loose it. It just goes dormant for a while. It can last a while." She said. She patted his hand and released it.
"That's good to know. After a while you think you lost just about all of it." Said Jim.
"Oh Darlin' I know the feeling! I've been divorced over 10 years and I don't have kids. Annette and Henry were the only family I had. Now they are off to make their own. But I'm boring you with my problems." She said.
"No, it must have hurt a lot after your friends got together it probably kind of left you in a sticky and uneasy situation. I know your happy for them but I know you have to have some uneasy feelings on it. The old double edged sword." Said Jim.
"Oh Lord, your reading my mind. Jim, I had to take a vacation I was burning out. Leland Johnson my supervisor told me to either take it or a leave of absence. My work was suffering. I'm a Handler for a team which two more members are off on their honeymoon. They went south to the Virgin Islands. I went north to Vegas." She said.
"There is a lot of hurt there I can see. How long have you known your friends?" He asked.
"Since first grade one of them and second the other so over 30 years." She said.
"And they just now figured out they were in love?" Asked Jim.
"Yeah, it's been us three since second grade. Henry and Annette I love them but……."
"You feel like they disserted you." Said Jim reading her pretty well.
"Yeah. The only one I can admit that too is you Jim. They are so damned happy and I can't stand it. But I have mixed feelings on all this." She said.
"I can see that. They are so damned happy and your damned miserable because they are so damned happy……..no more Jose' for me I guess…….anyway I understand. Takes one damned miserable person to know another damned miserable person." Said Jim. "Waiter two coffee's please." He said getting the attention of the waiter.
"You don't like being drunk?" She asked.
"No, I went that route and almost turned into a lush. If your thinking on doing that then don't. It's destructive and doesn't do any good. Believe me Rusty I've been there." Said Jim.
"It's a hellava lot better than dealing with this. I can tell you. I'm almost 41. I'm single and don't have kids. Oh Jesus………"
"What Rusty?" Asked Jim.
"I'm an old maid!" she said gasping.
"Hardly." Said Jim smiling at her. "Your what almost 41.……..your looking good Rusty. Believe me your looking really good."-
"Thanks." She said calming down. "Seems like blatant honesty is what I'm going to get out of you Jim."
"Well, seems like that is what you need. Someone to tell you it's alright to be selfish right now with your feelings. I know your not selfish I can feel that from you. You have confusion going on." Said Jim as he then closed his hand around hers.
The waiter brought the coffee and Jim got his wallet out.
"I can get it." Said Rusty.
"No this is my treat." He said.
"This is a hell of a first date isn't it?" She said.
"I couldn't call it that Rusty. There would have to at least dinner involved. I haven't had any have you?" He asked. "Gil and I were supposed too but that guy with the gun had other ideas."
"No, but I'm really not hungry." She said.
"How long has it been since you ate Honey?" He asked concerned.
"This morning or was it lunch." She said trying to remember.
"Then you need something to eat. I bet you glucose is whacked with that Jose' you have been drinking." Said Jim.
Rusty wasn't on a pity party she just was mentally and physically wasted with all that had gone on the last year in her life. Jim just wanted to make her feel better and let her know someone understood where she was coming from.
"Well ok." Said Rusty giving him a small smile. "It's nice of you to care for stranger."
"You're a cop. I guess that makes us family of sorts. Come on and we can go to the dining area." Said Jim.
They told the bartender where they were going. She said if anyone asked she would tell them. They strolled into the dining and dancing area. The band was playing but there was no singer really. The song stopped. The keyboardist saw Rusty come in. Jim had seen him before somewhere but he wasn't sure where.
"Rusty!" Yelled the Keyboardist.
"Your being paged." Said Jim.
"Hey Hank." Said Rusty.
"Come on and lend us your voice for a set would you? Vivian is sick." he said.
"Oh I can't……."
"So you sing?" Asked Jim starting to get an even better impression of her. She nodded yes. "Go on if you want too. I'll get a table."
"You sure?" She asked.
"Yeah, go on." Said Jim smiling at her. She smiled and walked up the stage steps.
"How ya doing Rusty?" Asked Dave the drummer.
"Oh ok I guess what do you want me to sing?" Asked Rusty.
"Let's do what we did the other day. Say you got a guy already?" Asked Hank.
"No he is just a friend I met him tonight." Said Rusty.
"That's cool." said Dave. She looked back at the bassist. A tall skinny cowboy.
"Hey Earl." She said.
"Hey." he said.
"Oh boy is he talkative tonight." Said Rusty grabbing the guitar on the bench. Swinging it on. She adjusted the volume and the stings.
Jim watch her as she got ready to sing. He smiled at her. She could see him from the stage.
"Ok Guys. Passionate Kisses." She said.
The song started out slow but took off fast and Rusty let loose playing lead guitar. Jim was floored seeing her up there and really doing a professional job. Grissom came in with Warrick. He noticed Rusty was up on stage playing and singing.
"Hi Jim." Said Grissom.
"Hi." Was all he said.
"That is our redheaded friend isn't it?" Asked Grissom pointing to the stage.
"Yeah, sit down and listen both of you." Said Jim not taking his eyes off the stage.
"She's good." Said Warrick.
"She is. I didn't know she was a singer. Or played anything. The keyboardist asked her to fill in." Said Jim.
They quit talking as she sang and played. When the song was over the audience including Grissom, Warrick and Jim applauded.
"Thank you." She said into the mic. "I'm Rusty McDowall. This is Hank on the keyboard, Dave on the drums, Earl on bass, Hey Earl you ok over there?" She asked.
The tall skinny cowboy smiled. "Yep." He said into the mic. The audience chuckled a little.
"God Bless you Earl. A man of little words." Said Rusty. "Oh and we have Matt, Mark and Mike on the horns and Sax and the girls in the back there are Trina, Darlene and Trixie. Give the band and the backup a hand will ya?" She asked. They all applauded.
"Did you know she did this Jim?" Asked Grissom.
"No, it was just as much a surprise to me as it was to you two." Said Jim. "She's good. She needs a contract."
"Yeah, I'd like to get with her on a song I've been working on." Said Warrick.
"I didn't know you wrote songs Rick." said Jim.
"Yeah. I dabble." said Warrick.
"What we were going to tell you before all this happened was that we are going." Said Grissom.
"Ok, Do they need me to go to the station with you?" Asked Jim.
"No, Harrelson is on tonight." Said Grissom.
"That's fine with me I want see how she ends this. Besides I promised her dinner." Said Jim.
"Whew, already working the lady." Said Warrick smiling.
"No, I'm just interested in her. More so now. Sheesh I never thought all that would have brains and talent too." Said Jim.
"Just be careful your sipping on Jose' pretty hard." Said Grissom.
"I will. If I get too far gone I'll just go and get a room. I'll give Rusty my keys." Said Jim.
"Good Idea. She's going to be around for a while. I had her file pulled from Washington. I haven't had a chance to read it yet but it's yours when ever you want it." Said Grissom.
"Checking up on her…….well maybe not yet." Said Jim. "Hey, I'm out on a date if you want to call it that. First one in about 8 years I think."
"Well, enjoy Jim but be careful and don't drive with Jose'." Said Grissom concerned.
"I can promise you I wont." Said Jim. "As to why I'm sipping on this is another thing."
"Rusty." Said Grissom. "Courage I'm sure."
"Yeah I guess. She's about to sing again. Want to stay for that?"
"No, I have to go but I'll come again to see her sometime say good bye for me will you?" Said Grissom.
"I will Gil." said Jim. "Bye Rick."
"See ya Brass." said Warrick. "Good luck with the lady."
"Thanks man." Said Jim.
They two of them walked off and Rusty started warming up for the next song.
"The next song is for a new friend that commiserated with me this evening. Essentially without knowing it he said it just like this……………Jim this is for you. Thanks Darlin'." She said. "That's The Way It Is."
Jim was shocked when she dedicated a song to him. He knew the song by Celine Dion and liked it. But she was right he had essentially told her just what the song was talking about. He settled back listening intently. Her voice just got better and richer the more he listened. Grissom and Warrick had been in the midst of leaving and heard the dedication they turned around and went to watch at the door.
"Is it me or does she just get better the more you listen?" Asked Grissom.
"No, it's not just you. Look at the people crowding in. She's more than good. Brass had better watch out, she likes him or she wouldn't have dedicated this song to him." Said Warrick.
Even Sam Braun had been drawn in by her voice. It was a rich Mezzo Soprano boarding on Alto. She had a wide range octave wise. As the song ended Jim was astounded as was the audience including Sam Braun who hadn't hired her. He would talk to her later. She needed to be working for him in some capacity. He figured that if she was on vacation for so long that something was wrong with her, job wise. When the song ended the whole room resonated with applause. Jim was whistling between his teeth and clapping by that time. Jose' had him. He wouldn't be leaving the Tangiers tonight. As the applause died down Rusty smiled and bowed.
"My, thank you so much." She said. "I didn't expect anything like this."
"Hey, sing some Dean Martin." Yelled Sam.
Grissom and Warrick knew they couldn't stay but they would be back. If Sam Braun was interested enough to ask for a song she would be working for him by the end of the evening. Grissom just hoped she knew the dangers of that.
"Ok Mr. Braun does it matter which one?" She asked.
"No. Sing what makes you happy." Said Sam.
"Ok. Fellas, Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime." She said as they regered for the song.
The room was half filled with older people in their 60's and 70's who got up were preparing to dance. She looked over at Sam who was happy with the choice and smiling and then at Jim who by then had his hand on his chin propping it up smiling at her too but he looked a bit snockered. The song started and she began to sing. She could sing all night and Jim wouldn't care. He would listen. She just got better and better the more she sang. He felt pretty good at this point but decided since the bottle only had a few more shots in it he should quit. Jim even took a stab at singing along. The older couples started dancing and singing along with her. She was having a ball doing it too. Even though she wasn't being paid yet for singing it's what she needed. As the song ended to applause she bowed again.
"Thank You. I'm so surprised. You have been a great audience. But they are telling me that the night is over. Another band is coming in. So enjoy your evening. Everyone take care." She said into the mic. She said good night to the band. It was clear she could sing anything and sing it well. As she left the stage to applause she came over to Jim who sat there still with his hand under his chin propping it up.
"Humm, someone has been into the hooch." She said putting her hands on her hips.
"Rusty that was undoubtedly the most……….."
"Yeah?" She asked.
"Your wonderful. Why didn't you tell me you sang?" He asked.
"Thanks. It didn't come up. I thought you told me this wasn't the way to do things." She said.
"Oh, well I really have no idea why…………" She got him to his feet and started going though his khaki pockets for his keys.
"Hey, what are you doing?" He asked.
"I'm taking your keys." Said Rusty "I'm not letting you drive home in this condition." He started chucking a little she was tickling him.
"Honey, stop…..umm that's not my car keys." He said smiling at her. She looked at him got a really wicked look on her face.
"Should I be sorry about that?" She asked.
"Hell Honey, I'm not." said Jim. "Reach in when ever you want. Just be careful what you get a hold of. You might get a little more than you bargained for" He said. She fished his car keys out of his pocket finally.
"If I hurt you I'm sorry." Said Rusty a little sheepish.
"Oh, don't worry you didn't hurt me. Hurt actually is the furthest thing from my mind right now." He said.
"Well, that can either be good or bad. I'm taking them for now I'll leave them in the room where we put you." She said.
"Really, I'm not going anywhere. You can give them back." Said Jim trying to take them from her.
"Oh no you don't." She said as she brought the keys in and put them in one side of her dress up top.
"Humm………I think you just dared me to try and fish those out." Said Jim.
"Nope I'm doing it to keep you out of trouble." Said Rusty.
"Putting them in there is only going to get me into more trouble Rusty. Because I can and will fish them out." Said Jim pointing at where she had put his keys.
"Oh, Jim be a good boy will you and just do as you are ask." Said Rusty getting him by his buttoned down shirt. "I didn't tell you to down the bottle. Why you did it………you tell me in the morning." Said Rusty.
Jim took that as in invitation. "Ok let's go on up." said Jim.
"Jim, I'm getting you a room of your own." She said.
"Damn and just when I thought maybe……..well ok." Said Jim. He was kind of disappointed. "Same old story." He groused.
"Besides, trying to navigate that in your condition aint happening." Said Rusty leading him around to the desk to get him a room.
"Who says?" He asked.
"I say. In less than 15 minutes your going to be passed out anyway." Said Rusty.
"Who says?" He asked again. "I have a pretty good constitution."
"Among other things according to your pants pockets. Whew, but your not going to be in any condition believe me." Said Rusty as she leaned him against the desk. "Stay." She told him. He nodded his head. A woman came to help them.
"Hi, my friend here has had a little too much Jose' and needs a room." Said Rusty to the woman.
"I'm sorry Miss we are booked solid." Said the woman.
"Shit." Said Rusty. "Sorry Ma'am. Ok, I'll just take him up to mine then."
"Ok." Said the woman and she went about her work.
"Come on Jose' let's vamanos." She said getting him by the collar again and leading him to the elevator. Rusty was a very strong woman for 5 foot 4. At that point she could do anything she wanted with Jim.
"Say your pretty strong for such a little lady." Said Jim as she drug him into the elevator and put him up against the wall.
"If you mess with me your going to see a can whoop ass all over you so be good Jim. Please. I don't want to have open up that can. I know you're a nice guy so just chill ok?" She asked.
"Well, ok. If the lady insists." then he got the notion to sing a little of the song she had sang. "Everybody loves somebody sometime…………"
"Oh good Lord Jim……..not here." Said Rusty.
But that didn't stop him as the doors to the elevator opened. She got him by the collar again and led him down the hall to her room she got out her room key put him up against the wall outside the door. "Jim stay." She said. He was still singing the song.
"Your love made it well worth waiting for someone like you……….." She cut him off.
"Come on Dino." She said pulling him into her room.
"Oh your no fun. Your acting like my mother." Said Jim.
"You probably made her gray before her time." Said Rusty as she pushed him toward one of the beds. They had to give her a room with two beds because that's what they had at the time.
"Yeah, well I did." He said as she pushed him on the bed and took off his shoes.
"Rusty what are you doing?" He asked.
"You have about 5 minutes before you pass out and I want to take advantage of that because you can still help me get these clothes off." She said as he chuckled.
"First my pants pockets, now it's my clothes you want off. Gee, I haven't had so much fun in a while and certainly not with such a beautiful woman." He said. He sat up watching her unhitch his belt.
"I haven't seen that in a long time either." He said as she was stooping allowing a somewhat better look at her cleavage. "Rusty, you are one stacked……."
"Oh Jim get over it! In a few minutes you will be sleeping in the arms of Morpheous. Ok in your case the arms of Jose'." Said Rusty she was getting a bit tired of all this but she had asked for it unfortunately.
"Rusty, I would rather sleep in yours." Said Jim smiling a cheesy smile at her.
"I'm sure. But tonight your as close as your gonna get." She said yanking his pants off. She hung them up quickly and started on his shirt unbuttoning it. She propped him against her torso sliding the shirt off. He looked at where he was on her.
"Yes, very stacked. You smell good too." He said snuggling a little against her cleavage and mumbling a little since she had his head against her chest. Then as she was finishing getting his shirt off she felt hands on her waist. They seemed to be sliding up. She quickly got his shirt off and pushed him down on the bed. He was laying there in his boxers and his wife beater. She hung up his shirt and wheeled his feet on to the bed. In 5 minutes just like she had estimated he was out and slightly snoring.
"God finally!" She said starting to pull the covers over him she looked him over a little. "Well he's not bad looking and boy, has he got a very good reason to live!" She said. He settled on his side right before she pulled the covers over him. "Good Night Jim Brass."
"Good Night Rusty." Said Jim almost unintelligently. She got ready for bed and got in the other one. Then she turned off the light and went to sleep herself.
About 6 o'clock AM Jim got up to use the bathroom he stumbled into the bathroom and stumbled back into bed but it was the wrong one. He laid back down with Rusty on the other side and went back to sleep. Then about 8 AM he felt an arm around him. He snuggled back into a spoon position her up against him. 30 minutes later he was facing her. Her arm still wrapped around him. He snuggled her against him and that made them both wake up with a very big start. She looked at him and he looked at her. They both jumped up a little in bed. Her pulling the sheet up a little over her nightgown.
"What are you doing in my bed?" She demanded and it was a demand.
"Huh?" He asked as he held his head. "Shit Rusty, not so loud."
"Your going to think loud here in a minute if you don't get……"
"Will you please lower your voice." He said. "Oh God, I know why I don't drink anymore!" He sunk back a little in bed laying his head on the pillow.
"I bet you do. Must be a real whiz banger. Now………"
"Rusty what happened last night after you got off the stage everything from you coming off the stage until just now isn't tracking." Said Jim. "We didn't……"
"No, we didn't. I took your keys. I didn't want you driving home." she said.
"That was thoughtful. Oh……..God I have a headache the size of Texas right now. Do you have any aspirin?" He asked laying back down on the bed next to her.
"No, but I have some Pamprin." She said giggling.
Jim gave her a kind of pissed off look. "I don't have cramps I have…….. a headache……..and other miserable feelings at the moment." He said as she got out of bed and went to get it for him she came back with two tablets.
"Here, it's multi symptom. It has something for headaches and something for moodiness too that might help." She was trying not to giggle. He looked up at her a little mad but took them anyway. "Can you manage to down them without water? If you drink something without eating your going to be drunk again." Said Rusty.
"Thanks, I can manage." He said popping the Pamprin and swallowing them.
"If this works we will have another way of curing a hangover." She said. This time she giggled quite a bit.
"Rusty, please don't tell anyone what I just took." Said Jim holding his head.
"Oh, I'm not going too. You need some food and I do too since we didn't get dinner. I can order room service." She said picking up the phone.
"That's sounds good. Make mine some eggs with a side of bacon please dear." He asked.
"Ok Darlin'." She said.
Jim's cell phone started ringing about that time. It was Grissom.
"Yeah Gil Good morning." Said Jim a little pain in his voice.
"Oh, I were kind of worried Jim. I couldn't get you at the house and your weren't checked into the Tangiers." Said Grissom.
"I'm with Rusty." Said Jim not realizing how it sounded.
"Oh, well ah……I guess things went well on your date." Said Grissom his voice saying volumes.
"Nothing like that Gil. I was so blasted by the time she got off stage that she had to bring me up to her room and put me on the other bed." Said Jim. "God Bless her. She's a real peach."
"Yes, I guess she is seeing she had to probably pour you into bed. She's a good lady." Said Grissom.
"Don't I know it. To put up with all that and she took my keys too." Said Jim.
"She's smart and decent." said Grissom not buying much of it but from the way Jim sounded it was probably the truth.
"Yes she is, apart from being a real beauty. I'll see you tonight at work. Oh, did anything come of last nights adventure with the gunman?" Asked Jim.
"No. It was cut and dry." said Grissom.
"Ok, thanks for calling to check up." Said Jim.
"You be careful Jim." said Grissom.
"I'm fine. Bye." Said Jim.
"Bye." said Grissom.
"Well, Darlin' I suppose that was Gil." Said Rusty.
"It was. Say that's interesting." Said Jim finally getting a little relief from the headache he had.
"What's that?" She asked.
"The nightgown and robe ensemble. Very Victoria. Very nice." Said Jim smiling widely pointing at what she had on.
"Oh well, yes it is Victoria's Secrete. Thanks." she said.
"Your all woman Rusty." Said Jim. "Don't worry though, like you said I couldn't navigate that to save my life right now."
"Then some of it's coming back to you. By the way Jim you have nothing to be ashamed of. You never touched me inappropriately. Well, you tried but it was just before you passed out. So I'm not counting it." She said.
"I'm sorry." Said Jim.
"You have nothing to be sorry for ok? So don't worry." She said.
"By the way, were are my clothes and how did I get them off?" He asked.
"I did that. Look, that's nice stuff you have to wear I just didn't want you to wake up in wrinkled clothes." She said.
"I can see that but Honey, where did you put them?" he asked.
She pointed at the closet. "Your shoes are in there. Your wallet is still in your pants." She said.
"Well, I figured that." Said Jim. "Could you hand me my clothes please?"
"Sure, I'm not as shy I guess." She said as she went to get his clothes.
"It's not that." said Jim.
"It's ok Darlin'. Here ya go." She said handing him his clothes and shoes. She smiled at him and went into the bathroom for a moment so he could get dressed.
"Ok Rusty." He said. She came out of the bathroom and he was putting on his shoes.
Breakfast came about then as they kept talking about things in general. Jim paid for breakfast. He figured since she had been good natured and kind of taken care of him he owed her at least that. After breakfast She went into the bathroom and got dressed.
"Please take a shower before you leave if you want. I'll go downstairs. You can have some privacy." She said.
"Thanks I'll take you up on the offer. I really appreciate you taking care of me." Said Jim.
"No Problem. It would be the same if you came to my apartment in Texas. House rule, no one too drunk to drive leaves until morning." Said Rusty.
"Good Rule. Listen I have to work tonight. Would you like to come down to the station? I mean to see it and the crime lab." He asked.
"I would love too Jim. The band isn't playing tonight." She said.
"I really enjoyed your singing last night. You, my dear need a contract with a record label. You really have a lovely voice." Said Jim.
"Thanks but I'm happy being in Law enforcement. Well, maybe not the branch I'm in right now but…….."
"Have you ever thought of going into another branch?" He asked.
"No, not until all this happened with Henry and Annette. You know she will probably come back and say……Rusty we are trying for a baby. Well, I don't blame her I mean they are both 40. They are married now so that's the next step." She said a little like she was jealous and a little like she thought it was a good idea.
"Hey, people make families around you whether you like it or not. I know you would be happy and sad all in the same breath. You weren't in love with Henry were you?" He asked gently.
"Oh no, we got that settled a long time ago in High School. We dated for about a month and finally when the kiss came it was like kissing my brother if I had one. Just wrong." She said.
"Yeah, there was a girl in Jersey I knew my whole life and everyone thought we would marry. But like you said when the kiss came………..it was like kissing a relative. So what's the problem with them finding each other? " He asked.
"You know Jim I don't really know." She said. "It's been just us three for so long. They are so happy and wrapped up in plans and such. I think I might have a touch of the green eyed monster and I think too. I might be wanting something for myself past them." Said Rusty. "Perhaps it's way past time. I had my chance to be happy a long time ago. I mean marriage and all."
"Maybe. I think you did the right thing getting out of Texas for a while." Said Jim. "You know there is no limit on happiness Rusty. Just because you had all that before doesn't mean you couldn't have it again."
"I gave up on love, marriage and kids years ago. Long story Jim. I'll tell you some time ok?"
"Ok Rusty. It looks painful and I do know about painful shit like that. I'll tell you some things too. My story is just as long or possibly longer." Said Jim.
"Ok, sometime in the near future we will just take the night and spill. Leland my super told me to go. He told me if I didn't he would make me go on medical leave. He said I was burnt out doing what I was doing." Said Rusty.
"Well. You know I'll listen. I don't know how much help I can be. I'm kind of in the same boat." Said Jim.
"Well, thanks for at least listening." Said Rusty. "I'll clear out now so you can grab a shower."
"Thanks Rusty." Said Jim. Rusty smiled.
"I'll call up in about half an hour." Said Rusty.
"It wont take me that long." Said Jim.
"Ok. 20 minutes then?" She asked.
"Yeah that's pleanty of time." Said Jim as she walked to the door.
"Rusty. Thanks again." Jim said.
"Your welcome Darlin'. How is the whiz banger?" She asked.
"Actually that stuff you gave me is working pretty good." He said a little amazed he felt so much better so fast.
"That's good. See ya in a little bit." She said. She smiled at him and he at her and she disappeared out the door.
Jim stood at the door watching her go down the hall. She was a great lady and he hoped she would stay around for a while. She was divorced and very unhappy with her situation in Texas. How long had she been alone? He wondered. Probably as long as he had from the looks of it. Something so beautiful being alone just made Jim really sad. But what he didn't know was it had been her choice.
Jim got a shower thinking on her situation. She didn't care for change much. Like himself. For years it had been the three of them. He knew she wasn't happy with that situation either. Annette and Henry probably loved each other a lot longer than just a year. Jim thought. They were holding back as not to hurt her……but finally let go for their own happiness. Which had to happen. She knew that too he figured. Now that they were together she felt out of place and awkward. He would too he guessed. That was it, she didn't know where she fit anymore. Like a teenager not knowing where they fit. Jim remembered back 10 years. "Forced midlife crisis." He finally assumed. "Yeah, I remember that. Not knowing where I fit or if I fit anywhere. Life upended with divorce. That's what's bugging her not the fact they got married. She doesn't know where she fits anymore. Man, that is a shitty feeling. At least I know where she is coming from. Perhaps if I am tactful enough I can explain it too her. Perhaps if I can and she gets it and I think she will she's smart as a whip………she just can't see the forest for the trees right now."
Jim looked around for his keys. He couldn't find them. About then Rusty called up to the room.
"Hey Darlin'." She said.
"Hi Rusty. Honey were are my keys?" He asked.
"Oh shoot I have them down here. Why don't you come on down and I'll introduce you to Minerva." She said.
"Who is Minerva, a girlfriend?" He asked.
"Well, of sorts. She's my '66 Thunderbird convertible." She said giggling.
"Humm that's cool, ok since you clipped my keys." Said Jim. "I'll be down in a minute."
"Ok Darlin'." Said Rusty.
"Rusty, I have been thinking on your situation and I have a few thoughts that might shed some light for you." He said.
"That's kind of you to go to the trouble Jim. I'd love to hear your take." Said Rusty. "Thank you."
"Your welcome, be down in a few." Said Jim. They hung up and Jim got the rest of his things from the room. He locked the room up and went on down.
There she stood. Even without makeup and her hair up in one of those clips she still looked stunning. The fact she had on a short pair of jean shorts and one of those camisoles wasn't bad either. She looked far younger than her age at the moment. Almost like a high school girl. He smiled at her and she at him. Upon closer inspection she had a ton of freckles dotting her nose and her cheeks which he thought was cute and probably from what her last name was she had Irish or Scot in her.
"Well, Jim you look 100 better than you did a few ago." Said Rusty.
"Thanks, I feel better too. The only thing I have to do now is shave before I go to work tonight." Said Jim as they met in the lobby. He ran his hand on his face feeling the stubble.
"Oh, you look fine however; I need help." She said giggling a little.
"Oh no you look just fine." Said Jim. "Would you rather just go and shower too in privacy? I can wait down here for a little while."
"Well, yeah I guess. First though Minerva. She's going to like you a lot." Said Rusty. "I know that sounds a bit strange but she's the only baby I'm going to have and she is a pampered child I'll tell ya."
"I know guys that talk like that about their cars." Said Jim. "Let's go and see her."
With that they went out to the parking lot just outside the Tangiers.
"Minerva this is Jim. Jim this is Minerva." She said as Jim whistled at the sight of the fully restored 1966 Thunderbird. It was maroon with white interior.
"Pleased to meet you Minerva." He said still in awe at the car.
"She says pleased to meet you too Jim." Said Rusty.
"She's just as beautiful as her driver. Rusty, could we take her out later?" He asked.
"Sure she's ready to go anytime we are." Said Rusty happy that he liked Minerva.
"Why Minerva?" He asked.
"She is the Roman Goddess of War. I'm sort of a warrior myself………so I figured it fit." Said Rusty.
"Yeah I can see that." Said Jim. "Minerva is a great name."
"I'll go and freshen up and get back down pretty fast. While I'm gone if you want to look under her hood she said she doesn't mind." Said Rusty guessing he was wanting to look at the motor.
"I'd love that but I wasn't going to ask to see the goods." Said Jim.
"Well Minerva is less shy than I am. I'm not too shy but I do appreciate being asked first." She giggled. She tossed him the keys then his keys.
Jim chuckled at the comparison. "Oh, I'd ask first."
"I know you would Darlin'. Have fun looking and I will be back down in about a half hour. Start her up if you want too just don't take her out yet ok?" She said scratching the stubble on his chin a little.
"Oh I wouldn't have gone anywhere but thanks for letting me look." said Jim smiling back after she did that.
"Anytime Jim Darlin'." Said Rusty as she sauntered back into the lobby.
Jim watched her. He shook his head and smiled. "All woman." He said. "She's a real peach Jim, you blow it with her and your as nuts as you believe yourself to be." He said as he began searching for the hood latch.
Jim just couldn't believe his luck finding and meeting Rusty. All these years alone. But, he knew that he would have to go slow with her. Under all that beauty and the heart of gold she had was a lot of hurt and pain. He wished for some consolation for her since she had taken such good care of him. A woman hadn't wanted to look after him in a long time. But Rusty had done that for several reasons. One being he was a brother cop. The other she liked him and didn't want to see him hurt the other……..it was just Rusty's way and the way she was raised. Time would tell if Jim and Rusty would actually hook up. Meanwhile, Jim could live with her just being around. Rusty was interesting and easy on the eyes plus she was a hell of a Fed. Jim wanted that to change too. He hoped that if she saw were he worked and liked it maybe she would be interested in working along side of him. Las Vegas needed good cops and Rusty had that down well. He also thought that maybe she could transfer up and work at the Las Vegas bureau. What ever happened was up to God and Fate and not Jim Brass right now. But praying couldn't hurt. So he would.