Disclaimer: I still don't own CSI and I am beginning to think I never will.

Caution: Contains spoilers for Mea Culpa if you haven't seen it and don't want it ruined, don't read this. This takes place directly after Mea Culpa.

Breaking Grissom

Chapter One: I Quit

Gil Grissom sat alone in the diner's cold booth. Nick and Warrick had left a while ago, Grissom wasn't exactly how sure how much time had passed. He just sat, lost in thought. He didn't know what to do with himself. His team was being torn apart by the one man he truly hated. He knew it had to be his own fault and he felt terrible that everyone else had to suffer because of it. Maybe he'd go back to Ecklie, beg him to put his team back together, but with Catherine in charge. Grissom would just head back to California or find some other crime lab in need of an experienced CSI. The more he thought about this idea, the more it seemed to be the best option. Of course, getting Ecklie to go along with it was another thing entirely.

"Grissom? How long have you been sitting here?" a voice asked from behind.

"I don't know," he mumbled.

"Are you okay?" Sara sat across from him.

Grissom sighed, "I'm not sure."

Concern was apparent on Sara's face, "You're not thinking of doing anything….crazy, are you?"

Grissom's head shot up, "No. I'm just thinking. Can I be alone?"

Sara frowned, "Why do you always have to push people away?"

"Sara, now is the not the time to start a fight with me," Grissom warned.

"Fine, goodbye," she stood abruptly and left.

"Goodbye Sara," Grissom whispered to her back.

The little encounter with Sara had settled it for him. He needed to speak with Ecklie right away. He finally left the diner and headed back to the lab. The entire ride there, he tried to think of how to convince Ecklie to put his team back together. It wouldn't be easy, but he felt he could do it. As much as Ecklie hated him, he had to have heart somewhere in that body of his.

"Conrad," Grissom knocked on Ecklie's door.

"Come in," Ecklie called out, "what a lovely sight, how are you Gil?"

Grissom sighed, "You win Ecklie. I'm through playing your little game. I quit. But I have one serious request for you. Will you please put my team back together? I will leave, but I want them to be reunited. Would you do that for me?"

Ecklie seemed a little taken back by Grissom's words, "I wasn't aware that we were playing a game, Gil."

"You've always played games with me Ecklie, and you know it. You have finally outdone yourself. I am throwing in the towel, I'm done here," Grissom crossed his arms.

"Fine. I can't guarantee that I'll put your team back intact though," Ecklie said with an evil grin.

"Damn it Conrad! How many years of my life have I poured into this place? How much have I done for this lab? Can't you just grant me one last request?" Grissom exploded.

"Okay, have it your way, I'll put your team back together, though I don't see what purpose it will serve with you gone. What the hell do you care if you're leaving?" Ecklie shot back.

"Consider this my official resignation," Grissom stood, "I'll go clear my office now."

"Whoa," Ecklie jumped up, "you aren't just going to leave right now are you?"

"Why not? I don't want to spend another day here if I don't have to," Grissom said.

"You're putting me in one hell of a spot, you know that right, Grissom?" Ecklie growled.

"Well that would be your problem, now wouldn't it, Ecklie? You picked the wrong guy to mess with," Grissom walked out and left Ecklie sputtering.

Grissom practically ran to his office, avoiding the probing stares of everyone around him. He slammed his door and sank down into his chair. He was a little surprised that he had actually gone through with it. Now he just had to pack up his belongings and be gone before anyone could stop him. This was how he wanted to leave, just be there one day and gone the next. He thought it would be best for everyone involved, no messy goodbyes, he would just disappear.

Grissom went out to the back of the crime lab and found several cardboard boxes. He returned to his office and loaded all of his personal belongings into them. He had quite a few things to take with him, but he had to do this all right now. He didn't want Sara or Catherine or anyone to find him and stop him. He just wanted to leave the lab and never look back. He lugged several boxes out to the parking lot and loaded up his, or actually now it was the lab's again, SUV. He decided he'd take all the boxes home, then bring the SUV back to the lab, technically it was no longer his as he had quit his job.

Conrad Ecklie sat, stunned in his office. He had finally gone too far and pushed Grissom over the edge. He wasn't exactly sorry to see him go, but he knew he would take a lot of heat for getting rid of Las Vegas' best CSI. He hated that Grissom had a much better reputation than himself for solving cases, that was what really drove his torture of Grissom. Perhaps breaking up his team over something petty was one step too far. It was too late now, Grissom had been spotted storming out of the lab with boxes. His office was officially emptied out. They would probably never see him again, as Grissom didn't seem the type to change his mind easily.

"What did you do?" an angry Catherine Willows stormed into Ecklie's office.

"What?" he asked, irritated.

"Grissom's gone! I went to leave him a note in his office and all of his stuff is gone, what did you do?" Catherine shouted.

"I didn't do anything. He quit," Ecklie responded coolly.

Catherine was stunned speechless.

"What's the matter? Suddenly Gil Grissom's not the man you thought he was?" Ecklie asked.

"Shut up, you just shut up! I hate you," Catherine ran out of the office, hoping that somehow Grissom would be there, maybe he'd left something behind. But she knew that wasn't true. His office was bare, he'd made sure he'd never have to come back.

A/N: Personally, even though he's only a TV character, I HATE Conrad Ecklie. I was so mad after Mea Culpa. I started this story that night and I have made a few slight modifications. I hope you enjoy it. I decided to post this story now, updates will be slower on it because it is almost the end of the semester and I will surely be swamped with homework!