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Shake Up	By : Melissa92863 Category: CSI > General Views: 2328 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own CSI, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 3
- 4
- 5
I don�t own the song What�s On Your Mind by Information Society. I used it for the title to the chapter.

Chapter 4-What�s On Your Mind (Pure Energy) Information Society

As Rusty sat waiting on news from Jim she realized she still had the suspect�s gun from the house they busted into.

�Ok who am I going to call?� She asked. That decision was made for her as Detective Alex Vartan walked up to where she was sitting and waiting.

�Agent McDowall how is the Captain?� He asked.

�No news yet but, I know he is going to be fine. I got the bleeding stopped before the paramedics got there or we did since you helped.� Said Rusty.

�Well, no news is sometimes really good news. How are you doing after that confrontation with the would be Spooks?� He asked.

�I�m concerned about that. I guess you were told to leave too?� She asked.

�Yes. I called Sheriff Atwater and he is there now with their boss slugging things out.� Said Vartan.

�Detective, I have a slight problem.� She said.

�What�s that Agent McDowall.� He asked.

�I have the suspect�s gun. I�m sure with all the fuss and feathers flying I just forgot to give it to you or the other detective. What should we do?� She asked.

�Well, I can call for a CSI to come and get it. They can test it against the vic and the one pulled from Captain Brass. I think Atwater is adimate that we take the case and help them on it.� Said Vartan.

�Oh that�s going to go down like a fart in church and you know it.� Said Rusty. �By the way just call me Rusty the less title throwing around the better. Please sit with me.� She scooted over on the small couch. Vartan sat down.

�Ok Rusty, I�m Alex then.� He said as they shook hands. He smiled at her.

�Pleased to meet you Alex.� She said.

�Same here. I�ll call Gil Grissom and see if he wont send someone to pick it up. I know you didn�t mean to take it from the scene. Besides it has to do with the Captain getting shot.� Said Vartan as he got out his cell phone out.

�Not here lets take a walk Alex, outside.� She said.

�Ok Rusty.� Said Vartan.

They got up and Rusty let the woman in charge of the surgery waiting area know that she would be back in a few minutes. Then they walked outside where the smoking area was. Vartan got on his cell and called Grissom.

�Sure I�ll send someone to pick the gun up. Why did it get away from the scene?� Grissom asked.

�Rusty has some problems not to mention the guy shot Captain Brass.� Said Vartan.

�What?� Asked Grissom a little shocked.

�Captain Brass is in surgery right now. I had better let you talk to Rusty McDowall.� Said Vartan.

�Yes, put her on.� Said Grissom a little shaken by the news.

�This is Rusty, Gil. Jim�s been shot but he is going to be ok. I got the bleeding stopped at the scene with a little help from Detective Vartan. Is someone coming for the gun I have?� She asked.

�Yes, I�ll come myself. I�ll let everyone know here about him being shot.� Said Grissom in a worried tone.

�Don�t worry Gil. Jim�s strong and I don�t see any problems. But a prayer or two or at least good thought aimed his way couldn�t hurt.� Said Rusty.

�Ok Rusty, I�ll be there in just a little while. I�m glad you were there and I�m glad you are staying with him. He has literly no one.� Said Gil.

�That I know for certain sure Gil.� said Rusty remembering the conversation with his ex and his daughter. �I know what that is like myself. I�ll see you in a few then.�

�See you soon Rusty.� Said Gil.

�You bet Gil.� Said Rusty and they hung up.

�Is someone coming?� Asked Vartan.

�Yeah, Gil is coming himself. He sounded concerned. But they are friends.� Said Rusty.

�Yeah, a man can�t have too many of those.� He said as they walked back into the surgery waiting area. �Rusty you said something about a case connected to this one in Texas.�

�Yeah, but I�m not sure how much to tell you Alex. I would have to get permission�..Leland I completely forgot to call him.� Said Rusty. �It�s not like me to forget things Alex.�

�Well, this has been a busy night. You might need to call him to get permission to talk about that case if it�s still pending.� Said Alex.

�Well not in so many words I can tell you that me and two other agents busted the Cortez cartel last year. Papa Cortez is in Huntsville right now because we busted him. It took three years and me UC for a year as a stripper to do it though.� Said Rusty.

�Well, I�m sorry I missed that.� Vartan said chuckling. �That�s impressive though.�

�It was not much fun I�ll tell you and one of the reasons I�m looking for something different. It took a lot out of my shaking my butt every night at one of the places Cortez owned. I had to get pretty close to him.� Said Rusty. She saw the look in Vartan�s eyes. �Not that close Alex.� She said giggling and shaking her head.

�I thought about going Federal myself but I like the department here.� Said Vartan.

�It has it�s advantages but right now I�m at a disadvantage excuse me for a moment.� She said.

She went to the wall phone and called Leland about the case she and Jim stumbled on. Leland had hesitated to call her seeing as he knew a cop had been shot and she had gone with him. He got his information from Alex Minton. He didn�t like the way he got it either. He told Rusty to be careful with Minton. He was known for scare tactics and underhandedness. But being the Vegas director he had to be or so Leland figured. He told her that Max Shelton had given her file out and there would be some shit go down him having done that. Max was someone to be watched too. He was a Handler down in Texas and had actually worked with Rusty a few times on the Cortez case. He had a thing for her too but she didn�t like it. He was all hands and had played her boyfriend for the case.

�You just be careful Rusty. Work it if you want I have no problems with it. But stay out of Minton�s way and Darlin� don�t get yourself killed. This whole damn thing smells of shit so don�t get none on ya.� Said Leland. �I�ll back you up 100 percent of the way. Minton doesn�t want me up there.�

�Yeah I know. You�re a teddy bear with fangs and I know you love me. Sheesh, your worse than my own Daddy was. How are the love birds? They back yet?� She asked.

�Yeah, billing and cooing at home now. You ever coming back here?� He asked.

�I don�t know yet Leland. The guy that got shot has no one here. No one period, to help him. Seeing I�m in the same hole ridden boat��.�

�Yeah ok but just don�t finish off the man. Didn�t you say he and I were about the same age?� Asked Leland.

�Yeah, he�s 51 and your 53 so��.yeah. I know. But he is a pretty sturdy guy. Takes my flirting and gives it back in spades.� Said Rusty giggling.

�Oh Lord gal, Then I might say don�t let him finish you off. Or you two finish off each other. Keep me posted. Do what you feel you should. Just take my advice and not get Minton aggravated.� Rusty started to protest. �Now, now gal don�t go having a hissy fit on me. It�s best not to mess with Minton and you know not to mess with me. That�s non negotiable.�

�Well, ok but I have already had an ear full of Yankee cussing tonight. I made the mistake of calling Jim�s ex and his daughter to tell them he had been shot. I know why he left New Jersey now. I�d leave too if I had married something like that and fathered an ice princess. Sheesh, I felt like I was in an episode of the Soprano�s.� She said.

�What is he Italian?� Asked Leland.

�No, I suspect Irish and English. But the ex wife��.boy does she cuss like a sailor!� exclaimed Rusty.

�Well, you might not of called them. If he didn�t ask you too then you should have left sleeping Yankees alone.� Said Leland.

�Yeah, well I didn�t. I know they are all not like that Leland. It just was very upsetting hearing his ex question his parentage.� Said Rusty. �Using every other word as a cuss word.�

�Yeah, but Rusty I have heard you cut loose something like that yourself. So Gal just be careful and keep me posted. Work for the sheriff if�in you want too.� Said Leland.

�Ok Leland, I had better go I think they are calling about Jim right now.� Said Rusty looking over at Vartan on the phone at the receiving desk.

�All right Gal just don�t get yourself in too deep either way.� Said Leland.

�Oh you know I�m gonna.� She said giggling. �But I�ll be careful.�

�Bye Rusty.�

�Bye Leland.� She got off the phone. Vartan waved her over to talk to the nurse on the phone.

�Yes Ma�am. This is Rusty McDowall.� She said taking the receiver.

�Captain Brass is doing very well Detective. We have the bullet. Do we need to keep it?� She asked.

�Please. A forensics man is coming for it.� Said Rusty.

�Ok. He will be in recovery for a little while until he wakes up. Then to the Surgical Intensive Care Unit for the rest of the night barring any unforeseen problems then to a room in the morning early.� She said.

�Thanks Ma�am.� She said.

�Your welcome. When he goes into SICU you can see him then.� She said.

�Ok, Thanks. Was it bad?� She asked.

�No, but he had his moments. It was close to the sub claivian artery but not as close as was first thought. His recovery depends on what kind of care he gets at home. I�m sure someone has called his family.� Said the nurse.

�Yeah and let�s just say I�m as close as it gets. I�m his partner.� Said Rusty.

�Ok, I�ll put that on his chart as someone to contact. Have you already given that information?� She asked.

�Yes. On the insurance forms.� Said Rusty.

�I�ll let you go now and call you when we get him into a SICU room. Then you can see him for a few minutes.� Said the nurse.

�Thank you Ma�am.� Said Rusty and she gave the phone to the lady at the reception desk.

She walked over to Vartan standing talking to Gil Grissom.

�Hello Rusty.� Said Grissom a concerned look on his face.

�Hey Gil. I just got off the phone with the recovery nurse and she said he is doing fine. Well, as fine as the circumstances allow.� Said Rusty.

�Thank God.� Said Grissom. He looked relieved.

�Yes we mustn�t forget to say thanks to the Almighty.� Said Rusty.

�Rusty, may I talk with you a moment in the hall?� Asked Grissom.

�Oh, yeah sure Gil.� She said as they excused themselves from Vartan. Gil and Rusty went outside the door to the waiting room.

�You have the gun on you?� He asked.

�Yeah and I only touched it once to get it away from the suspect after I shot him.� Said Rusty bringing out her jacket a little.

�May I?� He asked pointing to the gun stuck in her belt.

�Sure, take it I don�t want to handle the thing any more than I have too.� She said as he took the gun out of her belt and placed it in a evidence bag.

�Thank you.� Said Grissom smiling at her. �Also thank you for looking out for Jim. Nothing was said about him being shot at the station. I made sure everyone that works with him knows.�

�Why is that? Don�t they like Jim?� She asked.

�It�s not that, I don�t think. He�s a pretty laid back and cool guy. Now that is. He used to be pretty uptight and had a really horrible disposition. But that changed. We all change the older we get and a dose of humility helps.� Said Grissom.

�So he found humility��and he was sort of an ogre before huh?� She asked.

�Yes and I do believe it was humility that found him. Oh and Rusty did they keep the bullet from Jim?� Asked Grissom.

�Yes they did. You might outta go to the door of the surgical unit and knock for it. I told them someone would be picking that up.� She said.

�You think of everything Rusty. Thank you again.� He said smiling at her.

�Oh your more than welcome Gil. I just forgot to take the gun out of my belt and give it to Alex. I had other matters to attend too. Jim being one of them.� Said Rusty.

�Understandable and I will not say anything about it. No use in it chain of evidence wasn�t broken. Maybe sprained but everything will be ok.� Said Grissom.

�Yeah, thanks for not saying anything. I have no idea why��

�You were concerned about other things. I have it and that�s what is important.� Said Grissom smiling at her. �By the way, I enjoyed your singing today and last night I heard you then coming back to tell Jim that I was leaving.� Said Grissom.

�Thank you Gil.� Said Rusty.

�You take care and I�ll be back up here later on when they have him in a room. I�m sure you are going to stay, right?� He asked.

�I am staying for the duration.� Said Rusty.

�You might need to think on what you are going to do about staying at the Tangiers. You may need to check out for a while saying you have a sick friend that needs your help.� Grissom said.

�Yeah, I guess I had better do that while he is in SICU.� Said Rusty.

�Will you need help? I can arrange for Sara Sidle or Catherine Willows to help you move.

�Maybe it�s not a good idea that I move my stuff so soon. I would have litterly no where to put it. I haven�t found a place yet. But I guess when Jim gets out I�ll be staying at his place in the spare bedroom.� Said Rusty.

�You mean your going that far with this? Why, he�s litterly a stranger to you.� Said Grissom a little shocked.

�Yeah, I�m going that far with this. He�s alone Gil. Just like I am. Oh sure I have two friends in Texas and a Super that would move heaven and earth for me but, I�m not in Texas. My parents passed a few years back. So, I�m pretty much in the same boat as Jim is. I was taught that you helped others no matter if you know them well or not. Plus he is a cop. I�m a cop too if you think on it. Or at least law enforcement.� She said.

�I see.� Said Grissom. He was actually happy Rusty was going to help out. He didn�t know how much he could help him. But he would with them being friends. �You need anything or he does you call me.�

�I will Gil.� She said.

�I had better get back to the lab. I�m sure with this development Rory Atwater is going to want to talk to you. Has anyone gotten your statement?� He asked.

�No, but I�m sure Alex will.� said Rusty. Grissom smiled at her.

�Take care Rusty. Like I said anything you or Jim needs, call. It was a pleasure seeing you again just not under these circumstances.� Said Grissom as they shook hands.

�I will. You take care too. Yeah, it was good seeing you too.� She said.

Grissom let her hand go and turned and left. Rusty smiled. �I�m not the only one. I�m glad.� She said to herself relieved. She went back into the waiting area and sat with Vartan.

�Did you get everything taken care of?� He asked.

�Yes. I guess you should take my statement.� Said Rusty.

�No one has yet?� He asked.

�Well, technically I wasn�t supposed to be there but I did have permission to do a look see. We happened on that scene hearing gunshots stopped at a light.� She said.

�Ok, I�ll take it.� Said Alex pulling out a pen and paper.

Rusty gave her take on the situation before Vartan and Caviler showed up. Then Alex filled in the rest with what he knew. She wondered if she should say anything about being asked to leave. Vartan told her that he thought she should so they left that part in. Whether it would lead to trouble later on was anyone�s guess but she did have Atwater�s ok and her super�s ok to be there. Both would become valuable allies for her as time wore on.

�Thanks for doing this Alex.� Said Rusty.

�You�re welcome. I�m going to go now and see if I can talk to the sheriff and give him your statement.� Said Vartan. �But it was nice talking with you.�

�Same here Alex. I�m sure we will be seeing each other soon.� She said as they got up.

�Oh I�m sure we could make a bet on that.� Said Vartan holding out his hand. She shook it.

�You take care.� Said Rusty.

�You too Rusty.� Said Alex. He walked off out the door of the waiting area.

�Well Rusty.� She said to herself. �There are some mighty good people here. You had better get some rest. You have a long road ahead of you with Jim.� She went and found a recliner and fell off to sleep.

Three hours later a nurse came to get her to see Jim.

�Now Detective, he�s still groggy but you can see him for a few minutes and then it�s going to have to be after we get him into a room.� Said the nurse as they walked into the SICU area.

�Is he doing ok? No complications?� She asked.

�No, he�s doing as well or better than we hoped right now. He has a real will to live behind him.� Said the nurse.

�That�s good.� Said Rusty as they walked into the small room where Jim was laying still sleeping.

�I�ll leave you for a little while.� Said the nurse. �Since you are his partner.�

�Thanks.� Said Rusty smiling at her. The nurse smiled and left the room.

She walked over to where Jim was sleeping still.

�Don�t worry Darlin� I�m here and I�m not leaving. You and I gotta stick together. Because we are all we have. I know we don�t know each other very well but from last night and the night before, we work well together.� She said brushing his hair with her right hand. �You�re gonna be just fine Jim Brass.� Then she smiled and put her left hand in his and squeezed it a bit. He squeezed her hand back. �Good Jim, just keep that in mind I know you hear me.�

�Why wouldn�t I?� He asked opening his eyes.

�Humm�� She said as she smirked a smile at him.

�Well, you know what Gorgeous?� He asked weakly and in a whisper.

�What Darlin�?� She asked getting closer.

�When I heard your voice just now I was surprised but not all together. You said you would be here plus I also thought I might be dead.� He said.

�Oh Lord Jim��why�s that?� She asked a little shocked.

�Because your voice is angelic.� He said. �I thought wow, I have died and gone to heaven if something that gorgeous is talking to me.�

�Oh now, don�t start that.� She said stopping the caress of his head with her hand.

He asked her to get closer. She did.

�You don�t have to stop that either Rusty. I kind of like all the attention.� He said groggily smiling at her.

�Yeah, I know you think you have me eating out of your hand laying there with less lead in you. Well think again��.� She giggled then started stoking his head again.

�Oh I know I do.� He said. �By the way why are you doing this?�

�Because you and I have no one left in this world to care for us. I�m doing it because well��I like you and you�re a nice guy. Plus the fact you�re a cop and got injured.� She said. �I wasn�t raised to sit and watch and do nothing.�

�Your parents must have been really good decent people. Seeing their daughter��.is so sweet and decent.� He said. �I wish my own daughter thought that way.�

�I do too.� She said letting it slip.

�How do you know��.oh the wallet. Well��Ellie and I are not on speaking terms.� He looked at her and her eyes held sadness. He knew that she knew somehow and didn�t have to say more at the moment. �I guess you got a look at everything in it didn�t you?�

�Yes I did and all I have to say is Jim you have to change something out in there it�s way past the freshness date.� She said smiling a knowing smile.

�Yeah, it�s just��well I haven�t thought on those thoughts in a long time as you must have guessed. I just forgot the thing was in there.� He said a little embarrassed.

�Yeah, well change it out when you get a chance. Who knows when you might need��

�I�ve got it covered.� He said smiling at her. �I get it.�

�Good. Can�t go around without extra protection.� She giggled. �Who knows when situations could come��..up.� She said still giggling a little. He smiled and tried to chuckle but stopped when the pain hit. �I�m sorry Darlin�.�

�Don�t be. I haven�t had anyone take care of me since my��well since my divorce and if you really want to know the truth since my Ma died.� He said.

�I�m here Handsome so just be cool with it.� She said.

�I�m cool.� Said Jim squeezing her hand.

The nurse came back and told them it was time for Rusty to go for a while. He would be put in a room in a few hours. Rusty kissed his forehead smiled and turned to leave but he still had her hand.

�Rusty, Honey thank you from the bottom of my heart. Who knew when we met night before last that all this would happen. Just know you are appreciated.� Said Jim.

�Your welcome, now get some rest and I�ll see ya in a little while.� She said.

�Ok Gorgeous.� He said closing his eyes and letting her hand go. She smiled and left the room to go and sit outside until they called her to go with him to a room. They thought that partner meant significant other though. Girl friend.

A few hours later and Jim was in a room resting quietly with Rusty in a recliner pretty much asleep too. Grissom had come up to the hospital with some breakfast for them. He had gone by Krispy Kreme and gotten some doughnuts and coffee for both of them. He knew Jim loved his doughnuts. He knocked lightly on the door.

�Come in.� Said Jim quietly.

Grissom opened the door and started to talk but Jim put his finger to his mouth and shook his head. Grissom saw a sleeping Rusty in the recliner. He smiled. She was still there keeping her promise.

�Bring those right over here.� Said Jim still quietly.

�She�s still here.� Said Grissom quietly.

�Yeah, I really don�t understand it either.� Said Jim.

�She told me that she was in the same boat you were in not having anyone. She also said she wasn�t one for sitting and doing nothing when something needed doing.� Said Grissom.

�Well, what ever the reason I�m not complaining. Who would?� Asked Jim smiling at Grissom.

�I can see your not complaining. Our redheaded friend has been though a lot tonight. I wonder if she is going to stay.� Said Grissom.

�I think she�s a woman of her word. She�s a real peach in my book. I enjoy just watching her sleep.� Said Jim.

�Yes. It is sort of sport isn�t it? I mean the woman is lovely.� Said Grissom still watching Rusty.

�Yeah, the best non contact sport known to man.� Said Jim. �Or at least this one. Is that for us?�

�Yes. I thought you would need a Krispy Kreme fix by now and I figured you would be feeling better having Rusty here.� Said Grissom smirking a smile at him.

�Thanks Gil for bringing this up. But next time bring something different. I�m not looking a gift horse in the mouth but I gotta start watching my weight.� Said Jim.

�Oh and why would that be?� Said Grissom.

�The red head asleep in the chair.� Said Jim scarfing a doughnut.

�Oh?� Asked Gil kind of chiding him.

�Well, Gil she�s here and she wants to help me. Think on that a little. What�s the odds of someone like her having something to do with someone like me? She may be just as stuck on me as I am on her. Yeah, well you knew that. I just want to make a good impression if something��er well if a situation presents itself.� Said Jim blushing a little.

�Oh that well��..I wish you luck. She�s a lovely woman and she is a peach as you say.� Said Grissom taking one of the doughnuts himself.

Rusty sighed sleeping in the chair. She stirred a little but was still asleep.

�I have litterly laid here for the last hour just watching her sleep. She�s in motion even then. I wish I wasn�t injured. But at least I know I have someone. I know you know the feeling of being alone just as well as I do. It�s hard to accept that, that beautiful woman just wants to help me. I can�t believe how genuinely sweet she is too. The men in Texas must have a screw loose. She�s been single about as long as I have and no takers? That�s just nuts.� Said Jim scarfing another doughnut.

�She might have done that for a reason. We don�t know much about her.� Said Grissom. �Did she say anything about her ex?�

�No, but the way she looked talking about her divorce and she didn�t say much it must have been bad. We know how bad, bad can get personally don�t we Gil?� Asked Jim.

�Yes we do. I�m sure she is here for at least the duration of your injury. At least that. I�m a little envious. But not so that��

�I get ya.� Said Jim. �We had better be quiet Ms Hotness over there needs her beauty rest. Well not that she��you understand. I don�t want to disturb her. She�s been up all night and then some.�

�You getting any rest with her in the room?� Asked Grissom smirking at him.

Jim let out a breath. Then he smiled. �Not really but I�m fine.�

�Yes I believe you are.� Said Grissom still kind of smirking. �I�d be fine too.�

�So if you would��we can talk later. Just know that I�m ok and will be fine. I have my own personal G-Girl.� Said Brass. �I have protection whether I need it or not.�

�Or G-Woman. She isn�t just a girl.� Said Grissom.

�Oh I know believe me.� Said Jim.

�I had better go then. I�ll see you later and next time I�ll bring something a little more boring to eat.� Grissom said chiding Jim.

Jim who had another doughnut raised and ready to eat stopped mid chomp.

�Yeah, better. I need a better impression than the one I have now if you understand.� Said Jim putting the doughnut back in the box he got it from.

�Yeah I do. See you later Jim and tell our friend over there I said hello.� Said Grissom turning to leave.

�I will. Are you coming back later?� Asked Jim.

�Yes, I�ll be back in later on before work.� Said Grissom. �See you later.�

�Thanks Man.� Said Jim and Grissom left the room.

�Darlin�?� She asked.

�Ah, yeah Rusty?� Asked Jim feeling a bit busted.

�My ears are burin� somethin� fierce.� She said.

�Ah why is that?� He asked not really understanding.

�That means someone has been talking about you.� She said rolling over in the recliner all fresh and lovely from sleep. Her hair tussled a little.

�Oh that well��.Gil is my best friend.� Said Jim.

�Darlin� you like me that much?� She asked.

�Oh��.you heard us talking.� Said Jim getting a little red.

�Part of the job. Keep one eye open and both ears listening.� Said Rusty smiling at him.

�I guess so. Yeah, I like you that much. But I�m presuming. I�m sorry I did.� He said a little shame in his voice.

�You didn�t want me to know how you feel did you?� She asked.

�Not this soon but since you heard everything I said��.I guess it�s a little late to get embarrassed.� He said.

�I would say and red isn�t your color my Darlin� so fess then I will.� She said sweetly.

Jim let out a breath and slowly began to speak. �I�m flabbergasted Rusty. Why would you want to have anything to do with a middle aged cop. I haven�t got much to offer��..�

�Oh hush that right now James Brass.� Said Rusty scolding him a bit. �I just do and that�s that. I said your gonna have to be cool with the way of all this. So don�t ask questions because right now I can�t answer that. Maybe it�s the cop thing��..maybe it�s because we were drawn together night before last. Maybe it�s fate. Maybe it�s your parents and mine pulling the strings you ever think on that? Maybe it�s God in his mercy maybe all of it.�

�And maybe�s don�t happen to me Baby.� Said Jim shooting it back at her. �Maybe�s are a thing that happen to other guys. So why didn�t it happen to you after all that time?�

�I had to get outta Texas. I had to learn to live with many things that went on in my marriage and I�m not prepared to tell you as of yet my Darlin�.� Said Rusty. �That�s personal. I know I have been all up in your bidness tonight and I just as soon have not have.� Said Rusty.

�Oh and what did you find out?� Asked Jim beginning to worry.

�Nothing and nobody that I can�t handle Jim. I assure you.� She said.

�Rusty��.what did you find out?� He asked as she began to have that uncomfortable I talked to you ex look about her face.

�Let�s just say I feel for you Jim. I found Nora�s number and called thinking that your daughter would give a consolidated damn about her Daddy. See��.I loved mine very much. I couldn�t let her not know and make a decision on whether to come or not. Your ex aside here. I only wanted her to know.� Said Rusty looking busted herself.

�Yeah well she isn�t coming is she?� Asked Jim with the I know the answer to this in his voice.

�No. Ellie said you would tell me if you wanted too. I had no plans on telling you I called but you busted my ass on it.� Said Rusty.

�Figures.� Said Jim a little angry and hurt.

�I know your mad at me. Really, I am sorry.� She said looking a little upset.

�No, I�m not upset with you or mad for that matter. I think it was sweet that you thought of her. You�re a good woman Rusty you seem to try and do the right thing. But with Ellie and Nora nothing is ever right and you get a chunk bitten out of your ass for your trouble. I�m sorry you had to hear all of that. I must not be much of a man in your eyes now.� Said Jim.

�Will you please hush with that shit?� She asked. �Listen, God himself would have trouble getting though to either one of those two. Sheesh! The mouth Nora has��..a sailor would blush just hearing it. I have salt in me but��my Lord! How you stood it is beyond me.�

�I used to sound just like that Rusty. When I lived in Jersey I sounded just like her. I had a gutter trap. I had to learn that isn�t the way. She hasn�t. Really I�m sorry.� Said Jim.

�I brought it on myself. Ellie well I hate to berate her. I�m not going too because she is your flesh and blood. But the gal has problems for sure.� Said Rusty.

�Well, I know that already and it�s my fault she does. I wasn�t there for her. I wasn�t the kind of father I should have been. I wasn�t the kind of father I had either. She is bitter. But I�m not that man anymore. I had to get away from all that to be a better man. A better person. I got it the hard way too. Someone had to die on my watch in order for me to change.� Said Jim. �I found humility the hard way and too late to save my relationship with my daughter. Oh I want reconciliation but it�s not happening. That�s only something God can mend.�

�Oh, well It�s ok Jim. We are human we make mistakes but seems like you learned from them. �So you had a good Daddy?� She asked.

�I�m glad you understand. Really glad actually. Yes I did have a great Pop, but I lost him when I was just a teenager. My parents were older when I was born. My uncles took over the job of teaching me to be a man. I have several different men in me. Er��I mean��..�

�I understand what you are saying. They didn�t mesh well the parenting styles. I was an only child. Daddy�s little girl. I was with my father most of the time and mother was jealous. Up to the day she died we were at odds that never resolved. Don�t let that happen to you and Ellie, if possible it�s hard enough loosing someone you love much less never bonding with them on some small scale.� Said Rusty.

�Yeah but God is going to have to step in on the Ellie situation.� Said Jim.

�I would guess so. Having talked to them. You need rest Jim and so do I. But first did Gil bring those for both of us?� She asked.

�Yeah, dig in Gorgeous.� Said Jim. He knew now that she was going the distance. She understood all too well what living like that was like.

Rusty dug into a few doughnuts and sipped her coffee. She thought it best not to mention Libby, Ellie�s daughter right now. �Maybe when he is better and maybe when the situation presents itself.� She said to herself. She smiled at Jim and licked the sugar off her fingers.

�Gil�s a great guy bringing these.� She said taking another doughnut.

�Yeah and a great friend, Rusty. But, I have a friend right here with me. Thanks for doing all this and sticking by me.� Said Jim.

�You�re welcome Jim.� Said Rusty.

�Are you going to stay here with me?� Asked Jim.

�Yeah, for as long as it takes. The assignment Sheriff Atwater wanted me on will have to wait a little while until you are on your feet.� Said Rusty.

Jim just looked at her with a little awe. Then he smiled.

�You don�t have too Rusty.� Said Jim.

�I know but I want too. There is something about you and me that are the same Jim. From the first I felt that. Didn�t you?� She asked.

�Oh yeah of course I did. It just shocks me that�s all but as you say I�m going to have to be cool with it.� Said Jim.

�Can you be cool with it?� She asked.

�Sure. Why not I would be completely out of my mind not too.� He said.

�You know your taking me on and your not scared?� She asked.

�I should be asking you the same question.� Said Jim as they both laughed.

Jim felt better since she knew what he was up against in Jersey. Had he finally found someone that could take him on and not run? She wasn�t running she was sitting eating doughnuts and smiling and giggling with him. She hadn�t backed away or left him. Almost 48 hours after meeting her she was still with him, beside him and had been in front of him hence her actions when he was shot. He admired her but he also thought her a little crazy. However; sometimes things are just meant to be. Sometimes a girl in the chair beside your bed is just that but, in this case Jim thought God had out done himself. More time and more discussions with her would reveal just that. Life wouldn�t be dull with Rusty. But the same was thought about Jim in Rusty�s mind. She was thinking the same things as to would he go the distance with her. She knew he was a good man and had learned at a price, from his mistakes. Just as she had learned from hers. Time was going to tell. Patients and understanding added into the mix. Rusty had all these things and more according to Jim. But in the end when things fell into place it was going to be the best relationship either had ever seen or experienced in their lives.
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