So, how ridiculously long has it been since I've been able to post? Not sure I really want to know. My dear, hardworking laptop packed up months ago and it's taken that long to discover the problem, attempt to fix it, fail multiple times, back up the data, and finally manage to obtain a new one. So there we are; now all I have to do is iron out the differences and get used to a new keyboard. This is my response to the June fan fiction challenge at CSI Forever Online. I just couldn't resist the chance to play with my Ethereal girls again; and now that I have a new machine, hopefully I can get the proper story going again. I wanted this to be posted all together, but in the last two days I have spent twenty seven hours traveling half way around the world, slept about four hours, received my new laptop and installed all the software, slept another three hours, and sat down to get this going before the dead line is up. So, as I am about to fall out of my chair with exhaustion, let me just say, sorry for the rambling, I'm thrilled to be back, and please enjoy.
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"Syd, hurry up," screeched Sophie, charging into their bedroom. "Daddy's here and mom said that they have a tie-dye station set up, as well as a competition to build the best boat to sail across the pool later tonight." With a sigh, Sydney put down her cello and followed her sister out of the room. In the combined kitchen, living and dining area of their apartment Sara was perched on a chair, applying sunscreen to six year old Kaia's arms and face. Grissom was leading against the counter, drinking a glass of water, and wearing his ridiculous straw hat.
"Hi Syddie," he smiled, putting his glass down and scooping her up into a hug. "Ready for the party?" Syd nodded and returned his hug. The annual summer party for the apartment complex was starting in ten minutes, and from last years' experience, Sara and her girls knew it was not something to be missed.
"You should have come last year daddy," said Kaia, "it was really good."
"I know ladybug," sighed Grissom, "but I had to go to work. I'm really looking forward to today though," he added, smiling at his youngest and settling her sunhat over her long, thick brown hair.
"Where's granny?" asked Sydney, looking around.
"She's running late honey," said Sara, "she had to run to the store before she could come over. She'll meet us down by the pool, she promised. OK, everyone ready?" a quick check assured her that the twins had hats and sunglasses and that everyone's laces were tied; another scraped knee was not on the agenda for the day. Satisfied, she grabbed her keys and herded them all out the door. As they walked over the grassy playground toward the pool and the tables of food and games set up, and the girls charged over to the tie-dye station, Gil glanced sideways at Sara.
"I'm sorry about last night," he apologised, wishing he could take back his comments at the crime scene they had shared. After shift, he had gone home and spent most of his mornings sleep regretting his accusations and criticisms before it was time to get up and go over to see Sara and his girls.
"It doesn't matter," sighed Sara, her eyes on Sophie as the more adventurous twin dived right into the madness of cotton t-shirts and dyes. "Let's just forget about it and have a good afternoon. The girls have really been looking forward to today."
"OK," he agreed quietly. He had thought they were getting along better of late, but the tail end of a migraine last night, and the sickening nature of the crime scene, and he had lost his temper with her again. Shaking his head to clear it, he banished his thoughts and hurried over to prevent the purple dye war that was looming between Sophie and Kaia. By the time he got there Sophie was explaining to the woman running the stall exactly why it was important to twist the shirt in the particular pattern she wanted. The old lady watched Sophie with bemused, but frustrated eyes as Sophie launched into a monolog about shapes, the properties of the dye, and importance of the exact recipe of the pre-dying wash. The lady looked up at Sara, who was helping Sydney tie her shirt so that she would have a heart shaped design. Sara smiled and shrugged helplessly as her ten year old finished her lecture and launched into a detailed history of the dying process over the ages.
"Geez," muttered the old lady, "that's not how I'm used to doing it, and I've been tie-dying these last forty years." Shaking her head she went to the other end of the table to help a swarm of young boys. Sara managed to keep a straight face until the shirts were finished and left to soak. As they moved over to an inflatable assault course that Kaia was fixed on Sara made the mistake of catching Gil's eye; he too had heard Sophie's lecture, and was shaking with suppressed mirth. They both burst into laughter and looked away from each other, before they had to explain themselves to Sophie. As the girls raced toward the first obstacle, Gil and Sara walked down the length of the course, watching as Kaia scaled a ramp and climbed a net grid. Behind her Sydney battled through a ball pit as Sophie tumbled out of it and launched herself at the slippery ramp. Sara raised her camera and snapped pictures of them, a warm smile lighting her face as she captured their glee. Stepping back, something hard slammed into her hip and leg, knocking her sideways into Gil, who caught her in wonderfully warm, strong arms. A sting of French curse words met her ears and the twelve year old son of the French family in the building over from hers scrambled to his feet and charged away, chased by his older brother and father. "Watch where you're going," Sara yelled after their retreating backs, rubbing her hip. "This is a community party, not a riot." The French words rolled off her tongue fluidly, sounding angry and sexy at the same time, thought Gil with a sigh as he watched her make her way to the end of the course in time to snap pictures of each of their children as they crashed over the finish line. As the girls raced through the course three more times he mused over how to repair the damaged relationship he and Sara shared. He was roused from his thoughts when Kaia raced over to him and jumped up into his arms.
"Did you see me daddy?" she giggled, kissing his cheek.
"Yes I did," he grinned, tickling her. "I also saw you beat your sisters every time." Kaia laughed and nodded.
"They're too slow daddy."
"Is that so?" he teased.
"Yes," replied Kaia, seriously. "I'm hungry," she informed him, point to the food tents. "Look, Tika has smoothies." They ambled over to the stand where Tika, the elderly Indonesian lady who lived across the hall from Sara, was presiding over a selection of food from her native country, as well as the smoothie machine. Sara and the twins met them there, munching on bowls of watermelon and pineapple. Tika was making a special Indonesian milkshake for the girls while she asked after Gil, commenting that he hadn't been around as much in the last couple of weeks. He apologised, telling her that he had been extremely busy at work. Tika only nodded and eyed him, her ageless brown gaze cutting through his half lie; the weight of her unspoken opinions falling heavily on him. She gave Sophie and Sydney each a paper cup of dark green liquid and started on Kaia's request of a strawberry and kiwi smoothie. The twins moved the picnic tables to eat while Sara asked Tika questions about the rest of the afternoon and evening. Gil set Kaia on her feet so the girl could investigate the trays of food. He was helping her choose when he heard Sophie's frantic call. He looked up, alarmed, as Sara spun around. The twins were at the closest empty picnic table, but both Sara and Gil could see instantly that something was desperately wrong. Sophie was standing, clutching the table edge and gasping for breath. Sydney had dropped her drink as she stood, staggering. Her hands clawed at her throat, her eyes wide with panic. They were less than fifty yards away, but by the time Sara and Gil reached them, Sydney had collapsed on the grass, her eyes rolled back in her head and her lips blue.
"Call an ambulance," bellowed Gil, catching Sophie as her legs gave out. Her lips were rapidly turning as blue as her sisters', her throat swelling and her breathing severely laboured. Sara was crouched over Sydney, trying to breathe air into lungs that were blocked by a swollen tongue, throat and airway. Sophie wheezed and gurgled in his arms, rapidly losing consciousness. Kaia stood, terrified, halfway between her mother and father, not knowing which way to go. Sophie went limp in his arms and he started CPR breaths. He could hear Sara begging Sydney to hang on in between breaths. Grissom didn't dare look up now, all his attention was locked on forcing air into Sophie's lungs. He heard Sara curse, and Kaia start to cry, the murmur to the crowd around them, and then finally, finally, the sound of approaching sirens.