otherways Afterwards

[lvpd_sidle]

"Shit, Sara, are you all right?"

"I think so, Gibbs," she says hoarsely, pushing herself off the ground. "What about the shooters?"

"A unit caught them speeding away--Christ, why the hell are you worrying about that? You could've been killed!"

"I know." She swallows hard, feeling sick. "I know. If you hadn't knocked me down--"

Gibbs gives her a confused look, wiping sweat off his face. "I couldn't get to you--thought you tripped over something."

I didn't trip...

"Guess I did. Thank God for small mercies."

"No kidding." Her supervisor sighs. "I'll handle the paperwork needed--let the EMTs check you out, then go home. I don't want to see you in the lab for at least a week."

"I'm not going to argue about that."

He chuckles. "Miracles never cease. Go, Sara."

She heads towards the waiting paramedics, breathing in deeply to calm herself.

You're all right. You're all right. You're all right.

She laughs as the date comes to mind. "Happy birthday to me. I'm alive."