May 2006

Brass was shot. Down on the ground he gasped for air helplessly, blood running down his face. He could feel Warrick holding him down, putting pressure on the wound. The paramedics vignetting across his vision. His vision blurred and his hearing kept going in and out. The darkness started to creep in.

He gasped back to life as the doctors shocked him again.

"Captain Brass was shot twice." Grissom listened as the doctor rattled off Brass' status. "Has his next of Kin been notified?"

"For medical purposes... I have his power of attorney." Grissom spoke up.

"You may have a decision to make." The doctor replied solemnly and walked off.

Grissom breathed in deeply. Brass had made him his power of attorney just a year ago. Grissom had reluctantly accepted at the time. He had never been close enough to anyone before to be that person for them. The only other person he held that power for was his mother.

He wasn't sure how he felt about being in control here. He searched deep within him to keep a calm and level head about the decisions he may have to make.

Before he could reflect for too long his phone rang, dispatching him to a DB on the train tracks. Once there, and the scene was assessed with Sophia and Nick, he called in Sara for assistance.

He didn't really need her there, he realized. Nick and Sophia were plenty of help for one DB. But with everything going on, he knew just her presence would sooth him. And it had.

After processing the scene and going through autopsy with Dr. Robbins, Grissom made his way back to Desert Palms.

"What are his options?"

"We could try to remove the bullet."

"What are the risks?" Grissom's voice was robotic. "What are the odds?" If anyone had overheard the conversation, they'd think him to be heartless and cold. To be indifferent about the detective's life. But it was quite the opposite. In order to make the right decision, based of science, he knew he needed to check his emotions at the door.

"It's your call."

"Do it."

The doctor walked off to inform his staff to prep for surgery.

"Brass just went into surgery." Greg stood seeing Grissom approach the waiting area.

"You two have known each other for a long time." He observed. Grissom confirmed with a nod.

"We've worked together ever since he came to Vegas from New Jersey."

"Just between you and me... does he always wear a suit?" Grissom looked at Greg quizzically, "Like when you guys go to dinner or the movies... or whatever it is you do when you hang out? 'Cause I've got to tell you... the thought of him in a sweater, kind of freaks me out."

Grissom smiled at the younger CSI, amused by his musings. He shrugged smally, "We dont.. hang out, Greg."

"No kidding. I just assumed."

Later on, Grissom sat at the chair in front of his desk. He flipped mindlessly through the pages of a book on corsets, trying to concentrate on the case—It was of little use.

Sara's presence was a welcome distraction. She entered his office and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"How's it going? You okay?"

He looked up at her, "I'm okay." He nodded.

"That's a man in a corset." She noted, looking over his shoulder to the book that laid open on his lap.

He relayed some bits of knowledge he was able to obtain while flipping through the book.

"I guess I should feel relieved that sadistic ideas of beauty aren't restricted to women." She sat in the chair next to him and pursed her lips. He nodded in response.

"It's called a wasp waist." He offered, "The wasp is from the insect group hymenoptera... The genitalia no longer functions as a reproductive organ. It's used as a stinger."

"Go in for sex and get stung. Pretty much every man's fear." She bit back a smile, "Where did you learn so much about corsets?"

"I have my sources." He smiled, but the smile soon disappeared.

"Greg called, said Ellie showed up at the hospital. Caused a little scene."

Grissom nodded, "I don't know what to do about her."

"She's a tough one." Sara offered, "But Brass would want her to be treated well, regardless of what havoc she's causing."

Grissom again only returned her words with a nod.

"I didn't know you were his power of attorney."

"Only as of last year, after he visited Ellie in L.A..." His voice trailed off, recalling the awkward conversation.

There was a moment of heavy silence, "Who's yours?" She asked softly, realizing it was something the two never discussed. She watched as Grissom shifted in his seat awkwardly, staring at the corset book blankly.

"Well—you are.. actually." He looked up to catch the surprised look wash over her face.

"I am?"

"I—I should have asked you shouldn't I have?"

"No—I don't know." She laid her hand on his knee in a warm gesture.

"Who is yours?" He finally asked after another brief moment of awkward silence.

"Dave Crow... from San Francisco..." Her voice trailed off awkwardly as if it were something to be ashamed of but Grissom nodded knowingly.

Their investigation brought Grissom, Sara and Sophia out onto a recreation field. Grissom and Sara stood back to back,

"Ready?"

"Ready."

They counted to ten in unison, walking their paces in opposite directions before quickly turning around and shooting.. their cameras. This was exactly the light mood he needed to get his mind off of Brass' condition. He smiled widely at Sara before turning his attention to the ground to look for clues.

"Code blue! Code blue" The nurse called just as Grissom and Ellie walked in. They watched helplessly alongside Catherine as the doctors worked to stabilize him.

"Hey." Brass's voice was small and horse.

"Hey. Have some water." Grissom smiled, "Your fan club is here." Brass looked behind him to see all his CSIs there waving. "Ellie was here."

Brass smiled as best he could through the pain, "I saw her." He whispered.

"She'll be back. She just needs some time." Grissom put the water down next to his bedside. "You'll need to stay here for a few nights, the nurses will explain more when you're ready..." His voice trailed off.

He nodded against the pillow, "I figured... hey Gil,"

"Yeah?"

Brass gestured for him to come closer, Grissom obliged.

"Life's short, Gil." His voice was small and lips barely moved. He made sure Grissom's body covered his face from the onlookers just beyond the glass encased room. "Tell me I was right. Tell me you went for it?"

Grissom strained to hear him but still couldn't quite grasp what he was getting at. "Brass, I think you need some rest."

He shook his head, "Listen Gil, It's too short. Don't wait."

"Don't wait for what?" He furrowed his brows deeply and leaned in closer.

"Sara." Brass managed to speak, "Life's too short to pass up a chance at happiness."

Grissom's eyes strained in surprise, "Jim..."

"Shh, shh." He cut Grissom off, "I know. Believe me—I know. Don't wait until it's too late. Let her in."

Grissom laid propped on his side on Sara's bed. His eyes fixated on empty space as he spoke almost absent-mindedly.

"Most people want to die in their sleep I suppose. Never know it's happening. Like a crime scene: surprise, you're dead. I'd prefer to know in advance I was going to die. I'd like to be diagnosed with Cancer actually. Have some time to prepare. Go back to the rainforest one more time, reread Moby Dick. Possibly enter an international chess tournament."

Sara emerged from the bathroom wearing nothing but her thin pink, silk bathrobe. He barely saw her as he continued his musings.

"At least have enough time to say goodbye the the people I love..." She knelt before him now, at the side of the bed, and leaned in to get closer to him. Her hands clasped before her on the bed.

She smiled, "I'm not ready to say goodbye." He turned his attention toward her, looking deep into her eyes. A small smile perched on his lips, realizing this was her way of saying she loved him. He could feel his heart fill with warmth.

Grissom reached out and took her hand in his. He stared deep into her eyes for a while. Both content to sit there in silence. She took a hand and ran it through his curly locks, tracing her finger to his jaw bone, running it over his scruff.

"Sara..." He finally spoke, "You and Crow.. you're close?"

She nodded, "We haven't kept in touch much since I moved here... but thats mostly my fault."

"Evidently you were close enough to make him your next of kin..."

She smiled, seeing his insecurity, "I don't get chummy with all of my supervisors" She joked.

"What other supervisors have you had?" He was right. She only had two supervisors in her career, him and Crow.

"Crow is the father I never had the opportunity to have." She admitted. "I do miss him." She added realizing just how long it had been since the two caught up.

Grissom ran his hand through her hair, "If tonight has taught us anything, it's that life is too short to not be with the ones we care about."

Sara placed a warm, gentle kiss on his lips, "You're right."