Taking charge

Sara becomes the legal guardian of a young girl and shocks everyone one she asks Greg for his help. But when dark secretes come back to haunt her Sara nearly risks everything to protect her new life and her new relationships.

This is an update because i found errors and i made a mistakes further along in the story. probably need a few more but enjoy

Prologue

"It's ok, he'll be here soon enough" Sara had to bite back the tone of doubt. It was no use in scaring the poor child. She felt the small form shift in her arms and heard the small whimper. Sara did the only thing she could do and held the child tighter to her, he had said he was coming for them and she believed him- hell she had managed to trust him for the past year, with her heart- her stomach knotted when she saw his face for the first time after the hit, as he pushed them into the SUV- her heart stopped at one point when she saw his pale face half covered in blood some not his own but enough to make her feel sick.

Now holding the young girl fiercely in her arms she was beginning to doubt her own words. She knew if they waited for much longer she would have to give up all hope and search for him herself or they would have to attempt to get help. Just then she saw something in the waning moonlight. For a moment she almost scolded her self for thinking he would ever give up on them- on her. But then she made out it wasn't him-he hadn't come to save them, it was the other- it was Lucas and he- Sara bite off the whimper before it made its way to her lips. It was a gun; no doubt it wasn't even his gun.

She wanted to cry, if anything had happened- he had to be dead, Lucas wouldn't have left him any other way- but then the presence of the young girl huddled in her arms brought her back, she had to be strong for her. Sliding down her seat Sara pulled the young across her, pushing her between her seat and the driver side's door. Sara's body shielded the young girl from the other door the one Lucas was making his way to his gun raised and ready.

This was it they would have to run, attempt to outrun or even hide from Lucas. Bringing her face close to the young girl Sara kept her voice steady, she couldn't scare her

"Honey when I tell you, we're going to throw open the door and run like hell into the woods ok?" Sara felt the young girl no, no doubt sharing the fear coursing it's way through her veins but even now Sara smiled, the child was a lot stronger then she ever gave her credit for, she could only pray that was because of Sara rather then of what had plagued the first six years of her life. Then in a whisper to match Sara's she pulled herself up to her ear "like bats out of hell" she questioned causing Sara to grin and grab her small hand. Sara knew she hadn't been the one who helped her with her sense of humour… that of course was down to Greg. Sara allowed one tears to roll down her face… his face filled her mind and she could only pray that he would continue to be a positive affect on the young child and on her too. Sara glanced to the side mirror and saw Lucas approach- he was either really dumb and thought he could creep up on them or he was confident and he didn't care if they knew he was approaching.

Sara didn't want any longer, she reached down and thumbed her side lock and winced at the thud it made when the door unlocked it self. But she had no time to check if Lucas heard it or not for she was attempting to open the car door as quietly as possible. That's when she heard it and felt it, the first crack of the gun firing. The window on the passenger side door imploded and Sara half pushed half covered the young girl as a bullet tore through the car and hit the driver's side door. Lucas snarled as he lent in through the shattered window attempting to grab hold of Sara whilst brandishing the gun around like a mad man.

"You bitch- I'll kill you give me my daughter back" Lucas snarled sounding like an animal. He backed out as Sara dragged her self out of the SUV she pushed the girl towards the woods stopping when there was some stumbling to her right and she saw Lucas standing on the other side of the car with the gun pointed at them. It flickered between the two of them and Sara threw herself over the girl when she heard the first crack, screwing her eyes shut ready for the pain………………

Chapter one

A year and a half earlier

She was late; she had no intention on being late. In fact she had woken up early, she had only been asleep three hours when she woke up. But the reason she had woke up was the reason she was late.

The stabbing pain in her stomach and back had just about subsided after two Teynol, however after dragging herself to the bath and soaking her body long enough to sooth some of the pain she discovered she hadn't been shopping for more personal items. Slowly not to cramp up she threw some comfortable clothes on and jumped in her car and drove to her closes grocery store but found it was another hour before it opened, she spent thirty minutes looking the next one… she of course knew that it shouldn't take that long but having missed several due to the pain she couldn't help it.

Once home she dumped her bags and smiled only half hearted… the shop keeper had looked at her strangely when she dumped at least five months worth of women's toilettes not to mention the several types of chocolate bars she had also gathered. She headed the bathroom, once finished she headed back to the living room and flopped down on her sofa, she had no intention of falling asleep but once the cramps had stopped she felt worn out and she closed her eyes for what felt like a second but was in facts hours for when she managed to drag her eyes open she saw that it was time for her… in ten minutes.

So here she was walking down the corridor of LVCL hoping that she could get away without having to explain to her male superior why she was late, even though Grissom would understand no doubt she didn't want to have to tell him front of Nick and Warwick- or Greg.

And as she thought of that last person he came around the corner. His hair was spiked up as usual but due to his new position as CSI level one he reframed from wearing too much gel in it, he wore a simple blue t-shirt and clean dark stone washed jeans. He was readjusting him jacket when his brown eyes settled on Sara and the boyish lab rat grin spread across his face. Sara figured not everything of the lab could be taken out of him.

He came to stop as she did; folding his arms "sidle" he greeted a hint of mischief in his eyes that were flickering over Sara's face. She knew she looked like shit- in fact she was sure she looked like death warmed- but she didn't really want to deal with Greg and his usual boyish charms, and she was in no mood to engage in their soft flirting.

So she gave him her best piss of or I'll do something to you looks and Greg immediately held his hands up and smiled apologetically

"Sorry… Sara" he apologised and Sara soften slightly, no matter how annoyed or angry she got Greg had a habit- no a charm- that would always make her smile even forget what was bothering her. Sara sighed slightly and allowed her self a small smile, even Grissom couldn't do that completely.

"Your late" Greg pointed out as Sara nodded winching inwardly, she wondered if he would ask why. And she was grateful when he stepped beside her "well assignments already handed out. Nick and Catherine on a suicide at the flamingo, Warwick and Sofia working a floater and Grissom now has the great fun of a college prank gone wrong" Greg told her as Sara groaned and tilted her head backwards- Grissom was pissed, he had to be. Looking back at Greg Sara took a deep breath looking to Greg who was grinning "and me" she asked as Greg straightened himself out "you have the pleasure of me" Greg declared his eyebrows rising slightly and the grin replaced with a more devilish one.

Sara shook her head and pushed him softly in the shoulder, Greg pretended to pull a wounded face and clutched his shoulder once Sara had pulled her hand away "why Sara Sidle… I think I might just have to report that… who you think they have investigate them charges" Greg smirked as she turned and headed with him towards the door again. Sara glanced at him and smiled feeling some of the tension slipping from her.

"Knowing my luck, Ecklie" Sara offered as Greg winced and opened the front door for her "ouch… maybe I could forget it ever happen… even I wouldn't be cruel enough to have him investigating" Greg declared causing Sara to laugh and they headed to her car. She looked at Greg and not for the first time since he became a CSI level 1 in a way she had at first found startling then had come to like.

"so, yours or mine" Greg asked turning his brown eyes towards her and Sara blushed lightly, for a moment she thought that he was offering something more but then she remembered they would have to drive to the crime scene.

"Um…" Sara blanked for a few moments then she looked at Greg and smirked "yours, if we took mine you would have to grab your kit and we could be here all night" Sara teased stepping out of Greg's reach as she darted to her car. She glanced behind her and saw Greg still grinning after her, the devilish smile still etched across his young and handsome face. Sara almost bumped into her car because of that last thought. She fumbled with her keys and allowed her self to dive into the back grabbing what she thought she would need when it hit her… she hadn't ask anything about the case, she blushed and mentally slapped her self. The innocent flirting… well she could only hope it was innocent… had worked as a distraction for more then one thing. Collecting the basics and then more of least the extras she locked her car once more and searched for Greg's.

She found him with two minutes, leaning against his car, even though the weather would slowly turn cold and even the first nips of cold air could be felt Greg had shed his jacket and Sara saw how well the blue t-shirt had clung to his torso.

Sara had heard that Nick and Warwick had encouraged the newbie to hit the gym now he was out in the field and Sara shockingly was happy to see that it was paying off and that he had some muscles to show off.

Feeling herself go red and she quickly ducked her head, she hated her hormones this time of the month… she felt more like a teenager, thankfully it lasted only a day. Greg pushed off the car when she approached and grinned lopsided at her "finally thought you stood me up to be with Grissom" Greg joked receiving a sharp jab to the ribs; Sara smiled wickedly at him before moving around to the passenger side door, Missing the serious look and almost wistful look passing over Greg's face as he reflected over what he said. But he pulled one of his boyish grins and climbed into the car.

"so" Sara started slapping at his knee playfully, Greg glanced at her and started his car "so…were you intending to ask me to have my wicked way with you sidle" Greg gleamed at her but Sara simply folded her arms before turning slightly and dropping her kit in the back, she leaned slightly into Greg's shoulder making him swallow hard, her brown hair tied back loosely tickling Greg's shoulder.

"so, you going to tell me about the case" Sara asked turning her head slightly before a spring of pain fluttered across her stomach and she sat down quickly attempting to bite down hard against the pain. Greg cleared his throat and his head after being so close to Sara, gripping the steering wheel.

He went to start the car again but the hum from the engine made him blush but luckily Sara was caught up in her own world to notice so he began to back out of his car spot, spreading his arm across the back of Sara's seat to make sure he didn't hit anything.

"Um… DB, domestic abuse as far as Brass could tell. Husband stabbed the wife and then took off, they live out of town slightly" Greg informed her as he fully turned the car around and headed out.

"Who called it in" Sara asked glancing at Greg as he pulled his arm back and stared out the window. His face set "the six year old daughter… she hid until…" Greg bit off his words and flickered a glance towards Sara. Though she had never fully explained to him what had happened to her with her mother and father, he had a good idea… when his curiosity got the better of him, but he never out right told her his guess.

Sara looked at him and wondered why he stopped then she noticed his look and saw the expression Grissom had given her when he first discovered what happened to her father. Why she had hid herself just this little girl did. And instead of being annoyed, Sara found herself softening and smiling gently at Greg who finally had the nerve to glance away from the road and look at Sara and was shocked to find she was smiling at him.

"Greg its fine," she half whispered, lowering her eyes. Greg instinctively grabbed her hand and squeezed it. Sara was shocked by the act but she took comfort.

"Carry on" Sara ordered more determined and Greg ducked his head and pulled his hand back turning his gaze out the window "um, apparently she waited until her father left. It should be open and shut but you should know the drill better then me" Greg finished and Sara nodded. The rest of the drive was spent in relative silence.

there updated... reviews if you like. this is still a work in progress