"okay then, uh this is an administrative inquiry, you and supervisor Gil Grissom were in direct violation of lab policy-"
"are" she corrected him, a smug grin daring to escape thin lips.
"are in direct violation of lab policy," he modified " which states that members of the same forensic team may not engage in a romantic relationship.... so when did you and supervisor Grissom begin your relationship?"
"well, we've always had a relationship" she knew it was stupid to pick at particulars and beat around the bush, but in an odd way- it felt nice to see ecklie so uncomfortable.
he paused, " i mean- when did you become..... intimate" he knew she would not make this easy.
she took a second before answer, remembering the exact moment it began, with his hand gently resting on her shoulder, sliding down and caressing her arm so slowly,"two years ago- i think it was a sunday."
"two years. this has been going on for two years- and his quarterly reviews of your performance-" he took a breath, "obviously i will check and look into this deeper, but do you feel they were.... in any way, tainted if you will- by your "relationship?" "
"no."
"ofcorse, i wouldn't expect any different of an answer" he noted a few things in the folder, then looked back at her, "and how.... serious, would you say this relationship is?"
"serious"
"could you be a little clearer please?"
"how so?"
"well- in most relationships, they have milestones, like keeping a toothbrush at your spouses home, or exchanging keys, things like that...."
"we live together."
ecklie probably would have fallen of his chair had he not steadied himself. clearing his throat he spoke, "live together?" she nodded, "for how long?" his eyebrows furrowed with expression.
"over a year."
"and who knew, about this..."
"i think most of the lab knows by now."
"i mean before you were, ... ... abducted, "
"no one" but that was a lie. Brass knew, and even though Ecklie had no authority over him as lab director, she still did not want to bring his name into the mix.
"how did you two manage that?"
"by not telling people,"
"didn't you want to tell everyone you were dating someone?"
"no, not really."
"mhmm." he looked down at his paper,
"is that all?"
"for now- i suppose. if you get a hold of gil, tell him that dodging me will only make this worse."
tbc...