So sorry for the long delay in posting. I think the technical issues are finally resolved. But having written this and the next chapter or two at least three times now, I think the muse is tired. This isn't as good as I thought it was in the original version, but I've tinkered with it until I'm tired of looking at it. So I'm posting and will move on to the next chapter.

Oh, and wasn't our Brassman loking so fine last night? I'm liking the longer looking hair. It doesn't look as thin either.

His first thought when he woke the next morning was that it was too bright. After a few seconds of holding his eyes tightly shut, he remembered that yesterday when he woke up he hadn't been able to see any light. So happily he slowly let his eyelids open. He still couldn't see but there was a sensation of light, rather than the blackness that fallen over him in the bomb blast.

Jim heard the food cart in the hallway and smelled his breakfast as the tray was brought to him. Savoring the food, taking small bites to ensure it all made it to his mouth, his thoughts turned to his decision the night before. He would talk with An when she came to visit.

The morning training session breezed by as he concentrated on speeding through it to be ready for her lunch visit. The doctor's visit gave him even more hope; another week and he'd be going home.

Consequently Jim anticipated An's visit excitedly. Listening intently for her footsteps, his hands flexing and fingers twitching, he was barely able to contain his exhilaration. Sitting in the big therapy chair, he kept glancing toward the light streaming in from the window and then back toward the door. Normally Jim would be walking the halls or looking for another outlet for his energy but navigation was still a challenge, so he forced himself to stay in the chair. When he heard her footsteps his heartbeat quickened and as hard as he tried to forestall it, a huge grin that broke onto his face.

She stopped in the doorway. He felt rather than saw her hesitation. Something was wrong, his instincts told him as his heart plummeted and the grin faded from his face. "An?" he asked nervously.

"Jimmy," she said flatly. It didn't take the sense of sight to know she was upset. "Why did your people take Sally?" She moved closer.

Stunned by the anger in her voice, Jim frowned. "What are you being told?"

"That man…Vega… he told Guy that she was involved with the people in Los Angeles that killed Tim and kidnapped Mai….and beat Guy and Jimmy. She would not do these things…"

"That's really all I've been told," he assured her. "Nick, the CSI that worked the case with me, came by yesterday to fill me in. They have evidence that ties Sally to a man named Wong in L.A. Wong was behind almost everything. It surprised me too."

"You believe that she did these things?" she asked incredulously.

Jim swiped the back of his head with his hand, the hairs on his neck suddenly standing on end. This was not the conversation he'd planned on but he should have seen it coming. "I've worked with Nick and Sam for years. They are good at what they do. The evidence must be pretty strong…"

"She would not do this," An said loudly. "I will not believe it." Not able to think of a suitable response, Jim sat quietly. He listened as she walked to the window and then turned toward him. He thought he detected a shadow… her shadow, maybe? As he turned his head toward her, he heard her soft gasp.

"You can see?" she asked.

"No, not really…just changes in the light. But the doctor says it's a good sign. He can't predict how long it will be but he says my sight will come back….that this is a good sign." Jim felt her hand against his cheek, her hand warm on his face, and it took his breath away. "An," he whispered.

"I'm sorry, Jimmy." She pulled her hand away and his heart plummeted again.

"Sorry? Why?" He asked, her words frightening him.

"That…that this happened to you. And when I came today, I was angry at you about Sally. Guy is hurt and she is a younger sister to me. And the children…this will be not easy for them."

"I know. But if she was working with Wong, do you really want her around your family? Guy is more like another son than your brother and you worked so hard for a better life for all of you. And your grandchildren, they're really great kids. They don't need someone who did what she's charged with doing."

"Perhaps." She was quiet for an instant and then chided, "but Jimmy, they are your grandchildren too."

"I know," he acknowledged. "But it doesn't seem possible; it's not real for me yet. I'm still wrapping my brain around having a son."

Tentatively she told him, "he is your son. You believe that, don't you?"

"Yes," he assured her. "I'm not suggesting anything else. It's just so new to me. And…."

"What, Jimmy?"

"I wanted to talk to you…to see….I mean, I know it's a long shot after all these years but I thought...I'm thinking that maybe we could …"

"Me too," she said eagerly.

"Really?" he brightened. And then his inner sense of fairness took over. "I'm no prize, An. I've got a history and it is bad when it comes to relationships. And I'm in pretty bad shape now. But your visits, the time we spend together, it feels … happy."

"You are getting better everyday," she said kneeling at his side. Her hand grasped his and squeezed. "And we have history together. That's what makes this so…"

"Amazing," he offered.

"Yes, amazing. When you left me all those years ago, you took my heart with you. It is like I have my heart back. I know we have to learn each other again, but … I've never stopped loving you, Jimmy Brass."

Tugging at her hand, he pulled her closer until he could wrap her in his arms. Holding her tightly, he sighed. "I want us, An. I want to see if we can find that life we dreamed about."

She stayed through lunch and remained until his trainer came for an afternoon session. When she left, it was like she took the light with her. But Jim was still happy. She knew what he wanted and wanted it too; they might have chance after all.

Each day when he woke up, the world seemed a little brighter for Jim Brass. Catherine came by a couple of days before he was to be released and brought Bill Franklin with her. Bill would be his helper once Jim was home.

"Bill is here to learn about how to help you when you go home," Catherine explained. "He has an appointment with the training people in a few minutes and they'll go over everything with him."

Jim nodded. "That's great."

Bill gave Jim a quick run down on his background. He was retired from the Air Force and had a second career working in hotel management. "In fact, Captain Brass, we met a few years ago. You investigated a murder at my hotel."

"I did? I'm sorry, I don't remember…"

"That's fine. We only spoke briefly. But I remember you… you were so intense."

"Yeah well, Jim gets like that when he's after a killer," Catherine added.

They spent a few minutes making plans for Jim going home. Catherine offered to pick Jim up but Bill quickly nixed it. "If I'm going to be driving the Captain around and looking out for things around the house, then I might as well start at the beginning."

Jim nodded in agreement. He was warming up to the guy. "Yeah Bill, but call me Jim."

A few minutes later Bill headed out to meet with the trainers. Catherine turned to Jim and asked. "So what do you think? He's okay, right?"

"Yeah thanks. It'll be okay." Jim paused and then asked, "So what's happening with Sally Trang?"

Catherine sighed. "Looks like she was in it pretty deep. Still haven't found the two who had Mai in that motel room, but other evidence is coming out."

"Other evidence?"

"There's a bank account… Wong made deposits into it but it was Sally taking money out. Turns out she was the one feeding Guy's bad habits, encouraging him to get into bed with Wong. Guy was in denial at first, but the more he tells us about her activities before the murder, the more he sees it."

"How's the family handling it?"

"They're upset. But I'd think you know as much about that as I do. Anna Trang is visiting you everyday, I understand?"

"Yeah, but since Sally was first arrested we haven't talked much about it. She was angry at first…"

"Yeah, she let Sam have an earful. He's still gun shy where she's concerned."

Jim laughed. "An? She's not…"

"She was when Sam took Sally into custody. He's still got burn marks from the heat of her diatribe."

Jim flinched. "What'd she say?"

"Sam doesn't know. It was mostly in Vietnamese. But he suspects he was called every name known to man…or woman… and condemned to all forms of Hell."

Chuckling, Jim nodded. "Her mother could get like that."

"So um…how are things in that department, anyway?"

"Okay…good," Jim replied. "She comes to see me everyday."

"Uh huh…and….?"

"And we talk…"

"Talk…about?"

"Things."

"Damn Jim, getting information out of you is worse than getting something out of Gil. What, did he leave a little book of instructions when he left?"

"No…it's a guy thing. You know that. Don't kiss and tell…" he teased.

"Kiss? There's been kissing? That sounds promising."

"We've um…talked. And when I get out of here, we'll see how things go."

"Ooookaaay then…. So Jim Brass has finally met his match?"

"I met her a long time ago, Catherine. I'm finally getting to do something about it."

"Well, just get it right Jim. You deserve happiness. And I know that despite your player days and all protestations to the contrary, you want a family."

"Always have; it just never seemed to work for me."

"Well, make this one work."

Jim nodded in total agreement.