I would like to start this story by saying that I hold no personal prejudices against any one based on race, creed or place of birth. I firmly believe that God created all men (and women) equal. I want to apologize in advance for any derogatory names or remarks made in this story but they are necessary for it to flow. Thank you, Trish J
Chapter 1
Gil stood looking at the shell of what used to be a thriving corner eatery. The couple that ran it, a very sweet elderly couple from Mexico, were killed instantly.
"Damn! Damn it!," their son screamed, "Momma and Papa worked so hard to get this place."
Nick walked up to the young man, "I'm sorry for your loss."
The young man proceeded to tell Nick how his parents moved from Mexico as teenagers, how they struggled to become naturalized citizens, how they raised a family while they both worked for the previous owner of the restaurant and how they were able to buy it when old man Jenkins decided to retire. "It was their dream come true," the young man said, "Their AMERICAN DREAM come true."
"I've eaten here before," Gil said to Nick, "Momma Rosa made the best chicken chilaquiles I have ever tasted."
In another part of town Sara and Catherine stood looking at what was left of a Jewish Synagogue.
"A place of worship," Sara said, "I'm not overly religious but honestly - a place of worship!"
The synagogue had been bombed, the Rabbi injured.
"I know," Catherine said, squatting down to start gathering evidence.
Catherine whispered a soft curse word as her phone rang, "Willows ….. But …. Okay, Okay. I'll send Sara."
"Send Sara where?" Sara asked.
"Brass needs a CSI over on Madison," Catherine said, "A couple of gangs got into it and he needs someone to process it."
"We're busy here," Sara said.
"I know," Catherine said, "We're spread a little thin tonight. Go ahead and go, I'll meet you there when I'm done here."
Sara threw her hands up in the air and walked off, "Damn Ecklie. If only he would make sure we had enough help."
Sara pulled up behind the police car, "Hey Dobbs. Where's Brass?"
The officer pointed over to where a large crowd had gathered, "Over there."
Sara nodded and headed the way Dobbs pointed.
"What the hell is going on?" Jim asked, "It's been like a mad house around here."
Jim was right, it seemed that every crazy person in the world was here in Vegas, everyone - all the CSI's and police officers and fire fighters were extra busy tonight.
Sara looked from one gang to the other, "Blacks and Latinos?"
Each side was yelling obscenities at the other, "Shut your traps," Jim yelled.
Sara walked to one of the young boys, "Hold out your hands."
"Drop dead, I ain't takin orders from some skinny white bitch," he said.
Sara shook her head and grabbed his hand to check for gun shot residue. In less then a minute Sara found herself on the ground, her cheekbone throbbing.
One of the officers tackled the attacker to the ground, "Why was he not cuffed?" Jim demanded to know. "You ok?" he asked Sara as he helped her up.
"I'm ok," Sara said, gingerly touching her cheek, "That's gonna bruise."
"You need to have it looked at," Jim said.
"It's ok," Sara said.
Gil arrived just as Sara had hit the ground, "What's going on?"
"North hadn't cuffed one of the suspects," Sara said. Gil started to say something, "I'm ok," Sara said, "Let it go."
Gil looked over at North, Brass was already chewing him out. "Are you sure you're ok?" Gil asked Sara, "Maybe you should get it looked at."
"I'm fine," she said. Then whispering she said, "You want to kiss it and make it better?"
Gil smiled and signed, "Later."
Gil started at one end and Sara the other, processing the men.
"Catherine said she was going to help," Sara said.
"I sent her over to International," Gil said, "A lady was raped."
"What is going on?" Sara asked, "It's crazy around here."
Gil looked up, "Full moon."
Sara shook her head, she never believed in the whole "full moon madness" thing, but she was fast changing her mind.
Everyone reassembled back at the lab to go over evidence, it was Nick that stumbled onto the one piece of information that tied it all together - racial motivation.
"Guys," he said, I think I have stumbled onto something."
Everyone looked at him.
"I know this sounds nuts but hear me out. Mexican-American owned restaurant. Jewish Synagogue. Black - Latino gang fight. And Catherine's rape victim turns out to be an outspoken defender of Gay and Lesbian Rights."
"All could be linked to racially motivated crimes," Gil said, "It's possible. Let's work it from that angle too."
Everyone started to talk at the same time, Gil checked his watch then called for their attention. "Let's all grab a bite to eat, it's been hours since any of us ate."
Everyone agreed to meet at Over Easy.
"Need a lift?" Gil asked Sara.
In the car, away from prying eyes, Gil tenderly kissed Sara's cheek, "Are you sure your okay?"
Sara touched his cheek, "Yes love."
Gil started the car, "I can't keep this up any longer."
Sara looked at him, "Keep what up?"
"This," he said, referring to the fact that they were keeping their relationship a secret, "I want everyone to know that I love you. I want to marry you. I want us to go to Ecklie and tell him everything and if he don't like it - well to hell with him, I'll just quit and teach."
"Marry you?" Sara said, more surprised then she had ever been.
"Yes," Gil said, taking her hand, "I know it's not the most romantic way to ask but, yes, I want you to be my wife."
Sara smiled, kissed him and said, "The others will wonder where we are."
Gil looked at her, "We are not moving until I get an answer. Sara Sidle, will you be my wife?"
Sara touched his cheek, "Gilbert Grissom, nothing would make me happier. Yes."
Gil and Sara were the last to arrive, "Where have you two been?" Catherine asked.
"I had something to talk to Sara about," Gil said, smiling.
"Care to fill the rest of us in?" Nick said, thinking that Gil was referring to the current wave of criminal activity.
Gil looked at Sara, who just nodded her approval. "I asked Sara to marry me and she said yes," Gil said, pulling out Sara's chair for her, "Let's eat."
Total silence hit the table as mouths fell open and eyes bugged out, finally Catherine said, "What!"
