Disclaimer: I don't own them. I can only wish that I did. I don't make money off of this. I only wish that I could.
Disclaimer 2: If I have borrowed from anyone, please let me know and I will gladly give credit where it is due. I do believe this is my own original fiction.
Summary: Gil blocks out a particularly difficult case and his memory comes rushing back when he meets one of the witnesses/victims almost ten years later. She remains a constant presence in his life after they meet for the second time. GSR!!!!
Insecurities (April'07)
1983 (Near San Francisco)
"What's going on?" Asked the young coroner turned CSI and recent transfer from Los Angeles, Gil Grissom. He was approaching his newest scene and saw people in front of it that usually weren't there for a murder investigation.
"The girl won't leave. Child Services is struggling with her. She is very stubborn." The closest officer explained as he watched his coworker try to help get the girl out of the house. The girl was arguing with Connie, the woman from Child Services, and he saw it get physical when Connie's hand touched the girl on the shoulder. Gil decided to interfere otherwise the crime scene would not get processed and evidence could get lost or contaminated.
"Connie, take a break. It will be fine." H assured the frazzled woman.
"Whatever, Grissom." She said and then walked to the edge of the tape.
Gil took a moment to study the girl. She looked to be about ten years old. She was skinny with stringy brown hair. Her face was turned down, but when she looked up he saw brown eyes that revealed a soul which has already seen too much tragedy in this world. She sat on the ground and turned away from everyone. He was beginning to hear the chatter of the gathering neighbors and some of the children were pointing at her. He needed to get her away from this noise. She didn't need to hear it.
"Hi. My name is Gil. What's yours?" He sounded friendly. She turned and took her turn to study him. He maintained a non-threatening posture and made sure to keep a close, yet respectable distance. She said nothing and after a minute, he made a show of putting on his gloves and snapping pictures. He knew she was following him and watching every movement he made.
"What are you doing?" She asked so quietly, he wasn't even sure she opened her mouth.
"I'm documenting the scene. Next, I'm going to take some samples. Want to help me?" She thought about it for a minute.
"Ok." Grissom led her away from the crucial evidence and that became the signal for another CSI to examine and process the body. Sara was eager to learn and caught on quickly.
"What's your name?" Gil asked her after she had just dusted and lifted a fingerprint.
"Sara."
"It suits you." She seemed surprised by his remark. She didn't know what to say.
They finished collecting evidence around the house. He slowly coaxed the story out of her as to what had happened. She said that her mother took a knife and stabbed her father. Sara said that her father hit her and her mother all the time. Sara appeared to trust him. He noticed blood on her clothes that he needed to collect.
"Sara, I will need your clothes because you have blood on them. Hold still so I can take pictures." He instructed her. Sara did as she was told and remained perfectly still until Gil finished.
"You will need to change clothes. Should I get a woman to help you?"
"No. I trust you." Sara said quickly before he could even turn around. She led him back to her room. He shed his jacket.
"Here, you can wear this and put your clothes in this paper bag. You need to leave the door open, but I will turn my back." He turned his back and could hear her rooting around in her room. She came out with clean clothes and his jacket around her shoulders.
"Is that lady going to take me away?" She asked him.
"Yes. She's going to find you a new home to live in."
"I don't want to go with her; she treats me like a baby."
"How old are you?" He asked to see if he was right.
"Twelve."
"I'll tell her. Will that help?" He offered. She shrugged.
"I hope so." She said. Sara handed him two paper bags and followed him back outside. Connie came rushing at them.
"Gil, are you nuts!? You can't let a child into a crime scene!" He felt Sara grab his free hand and slowly move behind him. Her other hand grabbed the shirt at his waist.
"Connie, she's not a child and she was right next to me the entire time." Sara's grip was increasing.
"Gil, she's a minor. Did you process her yourself?" Connie had noticed that Sara had changed her clothes and was now wearing Gil's jacket.
"I gave her the choice and respected her decision. She's in junior high, Connie. I think she's capable of making those decisions for herself." He defended Sara as best he could.
"High school." Sara quietly corrected him. He did his best to turn in her tight grasp.
"What?" He asked her to clarify.
"I'm in high school." She said a little louder and then continued.
"If I have to leave with her, can I at least have my book bag?" She asked him.
"I'll make sure it gets to you in the morning." He assured her.
"I'd like it now, please." Sara stood firm and he got his first glimpse of her stubbornness. Gil sighed, knowing she won't back down until her demands are met.
"Ok. Someone has to go with you though." Sara tugged on his hand. He followed her back to her room and watched her cram the bag as full as she could get it. He told her to pack a suitcase too. He carried her bags and handed them to Connie when they got outside.
Sara watched Connie put her things in the car. She was reluctant to leave Gil's side, But Connie had her stuff. She pulled Gil to the car and when she got there, she surprised him by giving him a tight hug around his waist. He knew she was going to need some serious therapy. Hopefully Connie would put her with a patient family. Climbing into his car after she left, he wondered if he would ever see that fascinating young woman again.
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A/N: So, is it worth continuing? There's only one way I know for sure! Send me reviews!!! Have a great day!! Kelly
