Title: The Tattoo
Author: Carina Scott
Pairing: Warrick/Brass
Rating: FRAO
Spoilers: All seasons, especially Season 6 & 7.
Summary: Jim shows Warrick his tattoo.
Disclaimer: I don't own, please don't sue.
Author's Notes: This is for Beth and everyone that kept poking and nudging me to do a me. I'll have you all know, I bruise very easily. *grins*

~*~

Walking into the house Jim was prepared for a confrontation with his lover. Jim knew he deserved it. Warrick had just stopped by to congratulate him on his award and Jim went into a tirade about why he didn't deserve it. And the last minute thank you before Warrick had left didn't cut it.

Jim didn't mean to let his frustration out at Warrick but he couldn't help it. When the Sheriff had approached him about having the awards ceremony, Jim tried his hardest to convince him he didn't want anyone to make a big deal about his 'bravery'. Unfortunately his plea fell on deaf ears, as the only thing the Sheriff saw was the good publicity and votes that would come from this, rather than the potential embarrassment Jim might feel.

Jim was not embarrassed about being shot. No, he would have rather it be him than the young lady the suspect had held hostage. What he hated, and what embarrassed him the most, was not realizing what the perp was thinking about doing, and foolishly thinking he had the situation under control. And the award and its accompanying ceremony only served to rub salt in the gaping wound where his ego used to be.

When Warrick came to congratulate him, it was after a long day of constant pats on the back and people remarking about him being a 'hero'. Warrick's compliments had been the last straw and Jim had basically ignored the gesture by going on about how he wasn't brave, just a fool.

But he was a fool. Only a fool would use that particular moment to degrade himself, instead of thanking his wonderful lover for stopping by in the middle of a case to congratulate him. Especially when Warrick didn't even comment on the fact that Jim hadn't told him about the award in the first place. He was a world-class asshole, and whatever Warrick said to him he knew he deserved it.

Closing the door behind him, Jim kicked off his shoes next to the door, and placed his gun and badge in the table in the foyer. As he walked further into the house, Jim smelled an aroma that made his mouth water. Rounding the corner, Jim smiled at the sight that greeted him.

Warrick was standing before the stove with a red "Kiss the Cook" apron tied on over his clothes, stirring something in the pot. From the aroma in the air, and the cans of tomato sauce strewn about the kitchen, it would seem that Warrick was cooking spaghetti. Knowing this meant only one thing, Jim sighed. If Warrick was cooking, he was upset, and he was trying to calm down.

Obviously, Jim had sighed louder than he realized because suddenly Warrick looked up at him in surprise.

"Jim! What are you doing home, I wasn't expecting you for at least another hour," Warrick said as he leaned to kiss Jim softly on the lips.

Surprised at the response from his lover, Jim replied, "I didn't think you would be expecting me at all, after earlier."

Raising a brow, Warrick looked at Jim in confusion, "Why wouldn't I? You have other plans?"

Warrick turned back to the pot of sauce as he waited for Jim to respond. "No, I just thought you'd be upset with me. Not that I'd blame you if you were," Jim said as he dipped a spoon into the pot to taste the sauce. Warrick was a wonderful cook.

Swatting his hand away, Warrick added a few spices into the sauce before turning to look at his lover. "Why would I be mad at you Jim?"

"Because I acted like a jerk today when you came by my office."

"Really? Where was I when you were being a jerk?" Warrick asked as he turned the pot of sauce off. Removing the garlic bread from the oven, he continued, "I remember coming by your office today and I remember you being frustrated and a little upset, but I wouldn't say you were a jerk."

As he grabbed plates from the cabinet, Jim eyed his lover out the corner of his eye to see if he was serious. "Maybe not to my face. Look Warrick, you stopped by to congratulate me, and instead of being grateful, I blew you off. I went on and on about how I didn't deserve to get this award and all you were doing was trying to be supportive. I'm sorry."

Spooning the spaghetti and sauce onto each plate, Warrick rinsed his hands off before moving to cut the garlic bread. "Jim, like I said earlier in your office, I understand how you are feeling. And if it makes you feel better, I accept your apology. I realize that you don't think you were brave and I respect that. However, the award you received today was not because you were shot. It's because the moment you entered that room, you put yourself at risk. Just because you didn't think he would shoot you doesn't make your actions less heroic. When you entered that room, you knew that woman was in trouble, and you didn't want anything to happen to her."

Turning to his lover, Warrick grabbed his hands and looked into his eyes. "When you entered that room, how many times did you think about your safety?" When Jim didn't respond he continued, "Exactly. Not once did your well being become an issue. You were focused on ending the standoff as peaceful as possible, with no casualties. That's what makes you brave, Jim. That's why you deserved this award, and that's why I love you."

"Thanks Rick. I love you too."

"Really?" Smiling, Warrick pulled Jim closer, "Prove it."

"And just how should I do that?" Jim asked with a smirk.

"Read the apron."

~*~

After a relaxing dinner, Warrick and Jim cuddled up on the couch to watch a baseball game, enjoying each other's company.

Breaking the silence, "Warrick, if you weren't upset, then what put you in the mood to cook?" asked Jim.

"Do I have to be in a certain mood to cook dinner?"

"No, it's just that as long as we have been together, you haven't cooked like that very often."

Smirking, Warrick replied, "What do you mean like that? Are you saying I'm not a good cook?"

Rolling his eyes, Jim smiled, "No, you are a great cook. It's just that you don't normally cook spaghetti from your Grams recipe unless you are really wound up and need a way to relax. Since you said you weren't upset, I was just wondering what made you need to cook tonight. Was it the case?"

Relaxing into the couch, Warrick pulled Jim to settle against his chest, before wrapping his arms around Jim's waist. "No, it wasn't the case. Sara and I were in the break room when I saw you on the TV. The first thought I had was that something had happened to you. Then I realized that you were receiving an award. And as relieved as I was that nothing was wrong, it just brought back a lot of feelings from when you were shot."

"I'm sorry Ricky. I should have told you about the award, but I was--"

"Don't apologize Jim. I know why you didn't tell me, and I'm not mad. It's just that for that split second, I was back in that damn hotel, watching you bleed and feeling helpless," Warrick replied, as he hugged Jim to him tighter.

"I'm still here Ricky, and I'm not going anywhere anytime soon."

"I know, I know. It's just--," Warrick whispered, voice cracking with emotion.

Turing in his lover's arms, Jim began to unbutton his own shirt. "Warrick, when I was shot, I thought I was gonna die. And I really didn't want to. I have never been a very religious man, but as I lay on that hotel floor, gasping for breath, I prayed to live. I prayed for a lot of things; I prayed that I would live so that I could fix things with Ellie; I prayed that if it came to it Gil would make the right decision. But most importantly I prayed that I would live so I could see you again. When I woke up in that hospital room, I was elated because my prayers were answered."

Pulling the unbuttoned shirt off, Jim grabbed Warrick's hands. "Warrick, that day in the hotel I realized just how much I care about you. I have told you numerous times how much I love you, but it wasn't until that moment that I realized just how much you mean to me. It was like that bullet shattered the mask I was hiding behind, leaving my heart bare. And as I heard the panic in your voice I realized how much I had to live for. That is the only good thing that came out of that night. This award today made me realize that I may not be the bravest man alive, but I am one lucky bastard."

"May 11th will always be one of the most unforgettable days of my life. But it will also standout in my memory as one of the best days of my life. On this day, I got a second chance to live and show you just how much I love you. I almost forgot that today, but that will never happen again." And with that, Jim removed his undershirt to reveal his tattoo.

When Warrick saw the scar, and the tattoo, he gasped; as he did every time he saw the scar. Reaching out a shaky hand, Warrick ran a finger over the tattoo, causing Jim to moan at the sensation. Looking up into his eyes, Warrick whispered, "I love you, Jim."

"I know, I love you too Warrick," Jim replied before taking Warrick's mouth in a bruising kiss. Warrick leaned back, pulling Jim on top of him, never once breaking the kiss. Warrick ran his hands along Jim's bare back, blunt nails scraping across his skin, sending sparks of pleasure to Jim's groin.

Moaning, Jim began to thrust his erection against Warrick's, needing friction anyway he could get it. They went at it like this for a while; kissing, rubbing, and thrusting before the need for more became too great.

"Bedroom." Warrick said as he nipped along Jim's jaw line.

Sitting back, Jim got up and pulled Warrick with him, directing them towards the bedroom. By the time they reached their bedroom, Warrick and Jim were both naked. With a gentle push from Jim, Warrick lay sprawled out before him, a look of desire written across his face.

Reaching into the nightstand, Jim grabbed the lube, before climbing up the bed and settling between Warrick's legs. Leaning down, Jim kissed Warrick deeply, pouring all of his love into the kiss. Breaking apart, Jim began nibbling on Warrick's ear, sending shivers throughout Warrick's body. Moving further south, Jim licked and kissed Warrick's nipples, until each were hardened peaks. By this time Warrick was moaning and writhing beneath him, almost begging for more.

Sitting back on his haunches, Jim smirked at his sex dazed lover. Pouring a generous amount of lube on his finger, Jim leaned back in and swallowed Warrick whole. Warrick arched off the bed at the sensation and Jim had to use his hand to hold him still. After Warrick had calmed a bit, Jim moved back until he was just sucking playfully on the head. Warrick's moan and whimpers were only interrupted when he sucked in a deep breath at the feel of Jim's finger penetrating him.

Jim teased and stretched Warrick for a while, gradually adding another finger, until Warrick was babbling incoherently. Knowing this meant he was ready, Jim removed his finger, and lubed his aching cock. Before Warrick could complain about the loss of Jim's lips on his cock, Jim thrust into him quickly, causing Warrick to scream out his name in pleasure.

Placing Warrick's legs on his shoulders, Jim began to thrust in earnest, hitting Warrick's prostate each time. He knew neither of them would last for very long. Stroking Warrick's cock in sync to each thrust in to his body, Jim pounded into Warrick harder. Warrick's hands were twisting the sheets as he continued to moan nonstop.

Jim's body tensed, before he found his release, and spilled his seed deep into Warrick's body. One more thrust into Warrick's body sent him over the edge as well, and his world began to go gray.

When Warrick came back around, he found himself cleaned up and under the covers. Jim was looking down at him, concern written all over his face.

"You okay Ricky?"

"You're kidding right? I don't think I've ever felt better."

"Good, I was scared for a minute there. If you hadn't woke up soon, I was gonna call the paramedics."

"Yeah, I can see you trying to explain this to the Sheriff."

Smirking, "Yeah, it would have been a sight to see. So, are you sure you're fine?"

"Yep, I'm sure. I'll be a little sore later, but right now I'm great."

"I'm sorry."

"I'm not. You didn't hurt me, Jim. Hell, you did just the opposite."

"Really? So you ready to go again?"

Looking at his lover in disbelief, Warrick shook his head, "You can't be serious! I've barely caught my breath and you want Round 2. I don't think so."

Laughing, Jim teased, "Come on Ricky. I'm the one that was shot. Are you telling me you can't hang with an old-timer like me?"

Rolling his eyes, Warrick replied, "Obviously the bullet didn't slow you down, not that I'm complaining." Yawning sleepily, Warrick snuggled down further into the bed, "Give me 10 minutes and I'll be ready."

"Okay, 10 minutes Ricky," Jim said as he followed his lover into dreamland.

THE END