A/N: As promised, here is the 2nd half of the previous chapter, wrote by co-writer JellybeanChChi. We want to repeat our thanks for your continued patience and interest in reading this journey, as we head towards the finish line. Im not sure how many more chapters there will be, or when the next chapter after this one will be. Many many thanks for your reviews, each and every one is appreciated.

CHAPTER 66

In a matter of minutes, the park had more law enforcement and medical personnel roaming around than visitors. While investigators took photos of the attacker and the scene where he died, a medical examiner van pulled up into the parking lot.

An officer was interviewing the joggers about what they saw, while another officer questioned Grissom as paramedics tended to his injuries.

"So, this guy you knew in prison," the officer started, his voice reflecting a condescending and harassing tone, "why did you decide to meet him at this park? Trying to settle a debt or something?"

Grissom grimaced, more from the question than the examination of his shoulder. "I told you already. I didn't 'know' the guy except he was part of a gang in the prison and one of the guys who used to beat me up."

"That's prison for ya," the cop said. Grissom bit his lip. He already told the officer he was former law enforcement who was released from prison when his case was dropped because he was innocent. But the cop's retort was, "Yeah. Lucky you."

"Despite what you might think, officer, the attack was a complete surprise. I remembered his face, but I couldn't tell you that man's name."

"John Philip Beck," the officer said. "Released from High Desert about a week ago. So, you never got a call from him? A text? A letter."

"No, sir. Nothing," Grissom said.

"And when your dog attacked him, that must have been a real convenient thing."

"What does that mean?"

The cop shrugged. "The guy 'attacks' you," he said, employing air quotes, "and then he is the one who ends up taking a header, and cracking open his skull hard enough to end up dead."

"What do you want to get out of this investigation, officer? I was attacked out of nowhere, with my son asleep in a stroller. My dog is the only thing that came between me being dead and my son being in absolute danger." Grissom's voice reflected his fear and his anger. "You're interrogating me like a criminal instead of interviewing me as a victim!"

The attitude caught the attention of the paramedics, who glanced at one another and gave a nod. "Officer," the blond medic said, "I need to get Mr. Grissom here into the bus to check his head injury a little better. You think I can do that now, and you continue when we're done?"

The officer glared at Grissom. "All right. I'll call animal control to take the dog."

"Hank isn't going anywhere!"

"He's part of this investigation."

"He's not going anywhere."

This time the female medic spoke up. "Mr. Grissom. My partner is going to help you to the bus. You mind if I get the leash so I can walk with the hero pup? It will be easier for me to use the leash while I push the stroller."

"Yes, thank you," Grissom said congenially, as the medic helped him up.

"Great. It shouldn't take us long to care for the patient, officer."

The cop stood with his thumbs hooked in his belt. "Fine. There's more to investigate."

The blond nudged Grissom away before he could say anymore, but Grissom couldn't help but look back to make sure his crew was going to be OK.

"Don't worry about them. Carey is great with animals and kids," the medic said.

The walk to the paramedics' truck was not far. The blond medic didn't hover over Grissom, but he slowed his gate. He opened the back of the vehicle and saw the cop who interviewed Grissom some 10 yards away looking at them critically. The medic turned away and instructed for Grissom to sit.

"So," the medic said as he flashed a light in Grissom's eyes, "the dog's name is Hank?"

"Yes," Grissom said softly.

"That's a good name," the medic said with a smile.

Grissom looked at him for a moment. "I named him after Hank Aaron," Grissom replied, getting a nod from the medic. "You know, you did this exam already."

"Yeah, I know. But he doesn't know that," the medic said, his head point toward the officer. Which made Grissom sigh sadly. "You remember how cops can be on the scene. We figured it was better to get away from him."

"I appreciate that."

The medic nodded his head. "Hey… if you need me to call…"

"No," Grissom said adamantly, cutting off the younger man.

"OK. That's cool."

"I… actually called a friend," Grissom backtracked. "He should be here soon."

The exam continued, and the medic was trying to get Grissom to consider a trip to the hospital. Fortunately, Grissom saw Brass through the crowd. The detective walked a little faster after seeing his friend.

"Jesus, Gil," Brass said as he took stock of his friend's eye, then turning to the paramedic. "Is he gonna be OK?"

"I don't think there's any head trauma. But I was just talking to him about possibly getting scans at the hospital. He took a pretty bad hit to the shoulder and mentioned he's hurt it before."

"Thanks, but I'm OK. Really."

"Gil, don't be macho."

"I'm not, Jim. The last thing we need is another bill for the ER and an ambulance ride."

Jim sighed. "He's safe to take home?"

"Yeah," the medic said, taking off his gloves and disposing of them. "I mean he needs to be honest about his pain. Maybe see a doctor later."

"I think I can arrange that," Jim said, helping Grissom up.

"Take care, Grissom. And tell..." Suddenly the medic stopped talking.

"Thanks… for everything," Grissom said kindly. "I'll … I'll let Sara know you said hello."

Hank smiled shyly. "Thanks, man. Tell her I hope she's doing well."

Grissom nodded and made his way to get his son and dog. While the cop who interviewed him tried to talk to him again, Jim gave Grissom his car keys. "Go get the crew. I'll let them know I'll be taking you home."

There was no arguing that offer. Carey, the medic with Hank and Daniel, offered to help Grissom get everyone to the car. Although his shoulder was terribly sore, Grissom scooped up Daniel, who had since woken from his nap. Carey took care of Hank and the stroller, and even disassembled it and got it into Brass' car.

Because there was no car seat, Grissom had to hold his son in his lap for the one-mile drive home. He might have worried about it, but having a cop take you home can have its advantages. He turned on the engine and cranked up the air. After being in the sun, it was nice to get air conditioning reprieve.

Brass knocked on the window so Grissom would unlock the car door. He bounded in and immediately put on his seatbelt. "Ready?"

"That cop's not going to come to the house, is he?"

"Don't worry about that," Brass said. "Let's just get you home."

Grissom nodded. "Thanks for picking me up."

"Glad to help," Brass said. "Seemed the paramedics took good care of you. Did you know them."

"One of them."

"Oh?"

"Hank. Sara's ex-boyfriend."

Brass shot his friend a look, then shook his head seriously. Nothing else was said. But that didn't stop Grissom from thinking about the irony of the whole situation.

The smile on Sara's face served as physical evidence of her relaxing day. It had been over six hours since she left the house, and she had to admit she enjoyed pampering herself with a shopping and a salon appointment. She was able to pick up some stuff for herself and her favourite room-mates whose birthdays were almost here.

She texted she was on her home and took her time on the drive. Grissom texted her before her hair appointment that he and the boys were going to the park. She hadn't expected Grissom to do that and was proud he took the initiative. Maybe the sessions with the therapist really helped him more than he realized.

He texted her "home now" a few hours later. She couldn't imagine him spending that much time outside, but she knew he probably waited till he was settled at the house until he texted. The walking and playing at the park, especially in the summer heat, probably exhausted him.

She was humming with the radio when she stopped at a four-way stop a couple of blocks from the house. Directly across from her was a familiar car also stopped. With no other traffic, Sara slowly moved forward as the other car moved forward in the opposite direction. Sara recognized the driver and passenger and waved hello.

Upon entering her driveway, she opened the garage door and entered. She parked and grabbed a couple of bags before entering the house.

She was going to announce her arrival but found that unnecessary the moment she opened the door. In front of her was a frazzled Jim Brass holding a wiggling Daniel under his arm like a sack of potatoes.

"Does this kid ever stop running?" Brass asked.

"He went from crawl to run and can turn doorknobs."

"Yeah. I figured that out the hard way," Brass said putting the boy down. Daniel immediately ran to Sara and latched on her leg. Brass motioned to take her bags. "I'll take those if you handle the Great Houdini."

Sara picked up Daniel and gave him a kiss. "I wasn't expecting you here. Did you come by for lunch?"

"Yeah, well… Where do you want these bags?"

"Kitchen is fine." Sara could tell her Brass dodged her question. "Jim? What's wrong? Is Gil OK?"

"I'm fine, Sara."

The answer came from the living room. Sara looked at Brass and whispered, "Did he fall again?"

Brass shook his head and gestured to her to follow him. Grissom was working to stand from the couch, Hank obediently at his side. He looked up. Despite his fat lip and swollen shut right eye, he tried to brightly greet his wife. "Hey honey."

Sara put Daniel down. As if on cue, Daniel shot a look at Brass and made a beeline for anywhere but the living room. Brass quickly followed the boy and grabbed him under his arm. Apparently, this was the boy's favourite game now.

But Sara missed that as her worried eyes were upon her husband. She put a hand on his arm and pushing up his sleeve to see the bruising there. Now she knew it wasn't just a coincidence that she saw Al Robbins and his wife at that four-way stop a few blocks from the house.

She met his eyes and he tried to smile again.

"Your hair looks lovely."

She smiled sadly at his compliment, knowing exactly what he was doing. "Thank you. Sit down with me on the couch."