I Know I'll Never Love This Way Again

Disclaimer: I do not own CSI or its characters

Rated: M for violence.

Sara Sidle was a level 3 CSI. Years ago she was called to Vegas by her former Mentor Gil Grissom in a panic. There were issues at LVPD crime lab, Warrick Brown was supposed to be shadowing newest recruit Holly Gribbs on a B & E case. Instead he decided to "go for coffee" thereby leaving Holly alone at the scene where she was ultimately shot and killed by the B & E suspect who returned to the scene.

Over the years she had her variety of dates with various men. After finding a love-letter from Terri Miller to Grissom, she figured she'd never have a chance with him and left Grissom her resignation on his desk.

"Where is Sara?" asked Grissom, coming into the break room.

No one answered, they all looked very uncomfortable.

"Didn't any of you hear what I just said?" Grissom demanded.

"She didn't tell us anything Griss, she just said 'good bye' that is all" Catherine said on behalf of everyone.

"I'm going to be back in a few minutes, I have to stop her from making a terrible mistake" Grissom said and walked out the door.

"Do you think Sara's departure has anything to do with that letter from Terri Miller she found on his desk?" Greg asked.

Grissom, who heard Greg's loud voice, turned and glared at his CSI team.

"Greg what are you talking about, what letter from Terri Miller. Terri has been in Italy for the past five years!!"

Greg said nothing just wanted to die. He never expected Grissom to over hear him.

"I'm going to see Sara, I'll be back, Catherine, you're in charge – here are the assignments you deal with the team" Grissom said and turned and left. Not before running into Ecklie.

"Where do you think you are going" demanded Ecklie.

"I am going to find out why one of my best CSIs quit her job!" replied Grissom.

"Oh you mean Sara Sidle? Don't bother with her Gil, she's long gone. She told me she was heading back to San Francisco, so I set her up with a job there as a CSI level 3. "

"Why would you do that Ecklie?" Grissom said.

"You know damn well Gil; you know you don't fraternize with your underlings! It is against the rules!" Ecklie said with a half-smirk.

"What are you talking about Conrad; I have no relationship with Sara Sidle"

"Don't deny it Gil, I have seen it, the flirts the touching, she didn't like it, didn't feel comfortable so she left, plain and simple."

Grissom stopped cold. That was the biggest lie in the world. She would never leave because of that, he never touched her in a bad way what so ever. Now he was confused – was it because of what Ecklie said… or what Greg said in regards to some letter Terri Miller sent. Grissom didn't know, but he did know he had to talk to Sara and straighten this mess out and set Conrad Ecklie straight too. Sara and he were friends, they flirted in a friendly way, but that was all, nothing had ever happened between them.

Grissom told Ecklie he was taking a leave of absence for two weeks and that Catherine was in charge.

"No Gil, you can't take a leave of absence what are you talking about!"

"Ecklie, I have not had a vacation in years, I am entitled to vacation aren't I?" he said and the two men were nose to nose.

"I'm denying you this vacation. We have many cases we need to deal with Gil, you can go to San Francisco on your own time – like a weekend. My decision is final.

Grissom made a face but went back to his office where he took the letter From Terri Miller out from the pile and opened it.

Dear Gil,

Thank you so much for the stuff you sent us, I'm sure it will come in handy once the baby arrives. I want to thank you again for introducing me to David; he is a wonderful man and will make a great father. It's too bad that our date a few years ago didn't work out, because I know that you'd have been a great daddy to this baby. I'll write soon. Things are so different here in Rome, but oh well, I've always wanted to live in Italy and bringing up the baby here with my husband is a great guy. Too bad for you guys though, you lost a great lab-rat, but it's a bonus for the crime lab here in Rome. Write soon Gil.

Luv,

Terri Miller & David Hodges and baby.

Grissom sighed. She must have read only the first few lines in regard to the date they had…and not bothered to read the rest. Why Sara jumped to conclusions was beyond him. Yeah he liked Terri, but he knew that he and Terri would not make the most ideal couple, but when he introduced Terri to David Hodges, something sparked between them.

Grissom knew he had to go see Sara and talk to her and convince her to come back to Vegas.