Title: The Aftermath
Author: Carina Scott
Pairing: Warrick/Brass
Rating: FRT
Category: Angst, Episode Related
Spoilers: Built to Kill: Part 2, spoilers for all other seasons as well
Summary: Jim's thoughts during Catherine and Lindsey's emotional reunion.
Disclaimer: I don't own, please don't sue.
Author's Notes: Inspired by Mara's pic of Warrick/Jim, it can be found here: http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/quitab83/thenudge.jpg

~*~

Catherine and Lindsey were hugging each other tightly, tears of relief and happiness streaming down their cheeks. Jim Brass stood off to the side, watching the emotional reunion, trying to maintain his tight reign of control over the emotions he had been holding back since Lindsey had been taken.

He felt a gentle, reassuring grasp to his forearm. He didn't need to look up, he knew it was Warrick. That one little touch, the gentle squeezing of his flesh, was enough to strengthen Jim's resolve. Now was not the time to lose control. He needed to be the no-nonsense police Captain everyone expected him to be right now, Catherine and Lindsey deserved no less. Once all the loose ends were tied up, he could go home.

Home, where it was okay for him to let the stoic mask he wore for everyone shatter into a million pieces. Where he could strip down to his boxers and crawl into bed, falling into his lover's waiting arms. Where he would feel no shame as he confessed how relieved he was that nothing like that had ever happened to Ellie when she was a mere teen. Where he knew Warrick would comfort him when he cried because Ellie had been the victim of so many oter horrible tragedies, many of her own making. Home, where only Warrick could truly understand just how relieved he was that Lindsey was okay, that he didn't have to discover the lifeless, broken body of another teen taken too soon. Home, where he would use the remnants of his emotional strength to console Warrick as their roles reversed. Where he could hold his distraught lover, offering comfort as Warrick cried over the near loss of his godchild. Where he could listen to Warrick recount his numerous babysitting adventures with Lindsey as a young child. Home, where they would laugh together as Warrick plotted the slow demise of any young man that had the nerve to think he was good enough to date Lindsey.

Turning to follow his lover out of the room, Jim spared one more look at the heart wrenching reunion. Catherine and Lindsey would be fine. Not only did they have each other, they had a huge extended family waiting in the wings ready to offer comfort and help whenever and wherever needed.

Making a silent exit, Jim headed out to do his job as quickly and efficiently as possible so he could get to the one place he longed to be. Curled up with his lover in their home.

THE END