I've edited the previous chapter; it's a bit dark but still passable as 'T'. Read and review if you haven't!

Don't know New Orleans that well, so I pick and choose landmarks via web search.

JAG characters mentioned, and no, not Mac. You should know me. If you want to check, watch JAG Season 7 Episodes 23, 24 and JAG Season 8 Episode 1.

Tulane Medical Center

Next Day

1000 hours

"No Harm, nothing serious done," Skates said to her cellular speakerphone. "No, nothing to worry about; news crews do sensational stories. Yeah, thanks for calling, especially given the time difference. I'll be back in the East Coast soon and hope to catch up. Say hi to Skates for me. Bye."

"Was that Commander Rabb?" Pride said coming in.

"Captain (Retired) Rabb," she corrected him. Stretching her sore arm out, she shook his. "Thanks again for rescuing me."

"Oh don't thank me; thank your cousin, and well Chris. If they didn't find that video of you earlier, we would never have found you."

"I suppose now I have to come clean about that," Coates said, nodding as Pride handed her a cup of water. "Yeah, I came down to New Orleans because of my concern for Wright. I have to say I do part time research for this security firm along the Beltway. It was by chance, really by chance, that I saw Pia's name coming out, especially as one re-surfacing as a not just a old time pickpocket, but targeting old friends. I knew Wayne would be the first on the list and I remembered Merri was stationed down here. But you've seen me with Merri; I tried telling her what I was coming for but she kept say 'no' and hanging up on me. So I did as much research as I could and saved up money to catch flight down here. I knew Wayne was somewhere in the Marines but couldn't pinpoint his location so I dialled an operator. But you know the armed forces now, they are privy on privacy matters."

"You could have called NCIS proper," Pride observed.

"I know, I could but after Meredith, Agent Bordy hung up on me and didn't want to even understand me, I didn't think of perusing that angle. I guess I was wrong by then."

Pride nodded and replied, "Disputes aren't easy to settle. Anyway, she wants to have a word with you." Before Jennifer could protest, Pride departed and Meredith Brody entered.

"I...I guess I have to say thank you, Agent Brody," Jennifer said, stretching out her sore arm again.

"Merri, you know me as Merri," Brody corrected her and sat down. "How are you feeling cous?"

Take a little back by Brody's kind words, Coates replied, "like Luke Skywalker after he was zapped by the Emperor," Coates joked. "if it wasn't for you, I would be the Shark's Dinner."

"Well, I'm no Darth Vader turning good," Brody followed suit, "I would have done the same for anyone else."

"But..."

"But I realised I was wrong from the start about my cousin," Brody said, patting Jennifer's arm. "You have changed alot since your rebellious, delinquent days. I read as a Legalman Second Class you helped interrogate an Al-Queda suspect and stop a major attack on US carrier? Then afterwards you defied SOP and helped your injured JAG officer to safety and stayed with him until the end of his surgery."

Jennifer smiled. "The perks of the NCIS database. I didn't really help thwart that attack; Lieutenant Roberts did with his science fiction knowledge. As for the second part, well, after all the JAG team did to help turn my life around, I felt I owe them something. But I wasn't the only one who stayed as Lieutenant Robert's leg was operated on; the two other JAG officers did."

"Well, you certainly have changed," Brody remarked, "I owe you and apology. Here, you I remember you like this as a kid. I'm sure the nurses won't mind." She passed over a hot dog with gurkhins and ketchup.

"No mustard, you do remember," Coates laughed and took a bite. "You know, about Uncle, your Dad..."

"He's still alive, that's what matters. It an incident in the past," Brody said then stood up. "Hey Sparrow."

"Hey Eagle," Jennifer Coates replied, using the nickname they used to give each other. The NCIS Agent gave her cousin a peck on her cheek then departed. "Hey, where's LaSalle?" she asked her boss, who pointed to outside.

"Hey LaSalle," she called at her partner. "You can see Jenn now."

"Oh I'm flagging a taxi," LaSalle answered, not turning back. "I rather stay out of you and your cousin, it only brings more up more tension."

"LaSalle, Chris," she replied, using his first name in ages. "Hear me out. It's me who was so uptight and arrogant over Jenn. Look, I know you like her, have her."

"You..." he turned around finally. "You mean it?"

"Go for it, LaSalle. But make sure you don't lose sight of her this time." Patting Brody, the Alabamian re-entered the hospital and as he eased open the door, he stopped. The voice and laughter was unmistakable. Wait, no damint, that's him! With a bout of anger swelling up, Chris LaSalle ran back outside and nearly collided into Brody.

"I thought I said it was alright..."

"Damn that lustful little hacker!" LaSalle exclaimed.

"Patton? How did he get in?"

"One wonders, looks like he and your cousin are have the time of their lives."

"Aw LaSalle..." Brody returned the pat on his shoulder.

"Meredith, you want to get a nice meal in the French Quarter?"

The End.

PS: Do you want more Jennifer Coates/Meredith Brody stories?