Title: Without Warning
By: Carina Scott
Rating: FRM
Summary: "True love comes quietly, without banners or flashing lights."
Pairing: Warrick/Jim

If you hear bells get your ears checked." ~ Erich Segal ~

It was like it happened overnight. Well not exactly overnight, but I didn't expect it. But here it was; love. Written all over my face in the tears of relief that spill down my cheeks as I watch Jim Brass sleep, recovering from a gunshot wound to the chest. I love him, and not the platonic father-son love that Nicky feels for Gil; no this is the ‘please-don't-die-and-leave-me-here-to-face-a-life-without-you' kind of love.

I can't believe I didn't see the signs, but as I sit here holding his hand waiting for him to wake up again, I realize that had I been paying attention I would have seen it coming. The signs were there, but I hadn't bothered to look.

The arguments we had from the first day we worked together; all a mask for the passion I felt for Jim. The anger and outrage I felt towards Jim as he reamed me a new one for leaving Holly Gribbs at a scene alone; a cover for the disappointment I felt for letting Jim and myself down once again. The disbelief when I discovered that Ellie was not really Brass' biological daughter; a disguise for the sorrow I felt for Jim for having to carry such a horrible secret all these years. The friendship formed after returning from Los Angeles after helping Brass with his daughter once again; a consolation prize since what I really wanted wasn't available. The drunken binges with Jim on night's when I could only dream of Nick being buried; an excuse because in reality in the nightmares that kept me awake each night, Jim was the one buried not Nick. The anger I felt as I watched Ellie walk away from her father yet again; only a small fraction of the sympathy I feel for her because she will never know what a great man her father really is.

I look up when I feel someone squeeze my hand, to find that I am the focus of an intense brown gaze. Although he is pale, his lips are chapped, and his hair a mess; Jim Brass has never looked more handsome than he does right now.

"Hey Brass, how you feeling?"

He motions for me to lean forward, and I do. In a voice that is weak, yet strong with conviction, he whispers "I'm in love with you Warrick, have been for a while, and I want to stop pretending." A tear slips down his cheek, from pain or emotion, I'm not sure.

Wiping the tear from his cheek, I place a kiss to his lips, certain of one thing. "I don't want to pretend anymore either; I love you too Jim."

Squeezing my hand once more, with a smile on his lips, Jim drifts back to sleep.

Sitting back in my chair, I watch the rise and fall of Jim's chest, and I feel my heart clench. I send a prayer to the heavens asking for a chance to show this man just how much I love him. Brushing back a stray strand of hair on Jim's forehead, I don't bother to wipe the fresh set of tears trailing down my face, as I watch Jim sleep.

The End