Title: Stalker
Summary: Sara is stalked and is ordered to move in with Greg for safety.
Chapter one
Sara stared at the note in disbelief. It was the fifth letter this week and the first one sent to her work. They were all the same, typed and unsigned. They all said the same thing: "I'm watching you."
She had thought of telling Grissom or even Brass, but she believed she could handle it. They were only letters after all. Nothing further had happened.
Still, she was worried and growing more fearful with each letter.
He's not going to keep sending notes, she thought. He's going to try something soon.
Sara sighed and folded the note. She put it in her jeans' pocket and focused on the case.
A teenage girl had been found murdered in her own bedroom. She had been strangled with a telephone cord. The killer had worn gloves, which meant no prints or DNA. Greg had found a print on a music box and they had taken plenty of pictures.
She looked at those photos now, hoping something would catch her attention. They were at a dead end and she was frustrated. The father had an air tight alibi as did the mother. They were both out when the murder had taken place.
"How's it going?" Greg asked from the doorway.
She looked up from the pictures and offered him a slight smile. For some strange reason she wanted to tell him about the notes. He would offer her comfort and want to tell Brass. Of course, since nothing threatening had happened they could do nothing.
She sighed, "Slow. Maybe you can see something."
Greg smiled and strode over to her. He sat beside her and looked over the crime scene photos. She glanced at him from the corner of her eye, taking him in.
It was strange, the moment he arrived and sat beside her, she became calm. It amazed her how his nearness comforted her. She almost laughed if she wasn't so confused.
"Here," Greg said, bringing her out of her thoughts. "This is out of place."
Sara looked at the picture he pointed to. She narrowed her eyes then they widened. It was such a slight thing she hadn't seen it before.
"Of course," she said as she looked at Greg. "I didn't notice it."
Greg shrugged and smiled slightly at her. It was a shy smile, making him even more attractive.
"You would have seen it eventually."
Sara shook her head and picked up the photo. She smiled again before leaving the room. The note was completely forgotten as a break in the case took over.
Greg watched her go, glad he was able to help. He sighed and glanced at the remaining pictures. His thoughts weren't on them, though.
He had thought over time his crush on Sara would have faded. More than once she had shown she wasn't interested in him. She had stayed his friend, even mentoring him toward being a CSI.
It was during that time, he realized his crush had become something more. He kept it to himself, though, not wanting to ruin the close friendship they shared. Sometimes, he dreamed of going beyond their friendship.
Greg sighed and gathered up the pictures. He wasn't going to get much work done like this.
Might as well check on that print, he thought as he placed the photos in a folder.
He left the evidence room and headed toward the print lab.
"How's it coming?" Greg asked as he stepped into the lab.
"I just started on your print," she said with a smile.
"Then it shouldn't take long at all," he said as he leaned against the wall, his arms folded.
Jacqui spun around and stared at the computer screen. After several minutes, Greg began to tape his foot. She shook her head and handed him the results. She smiled at him as he raised an eyebrow.
"I wanted to see you squirm," she remarked. "I had this done thirty minutes ago."
"Thanks," Greg said, taking the results. He looked at them and smiled.
"Sara's going to love this," he said as he left the room.
Greg found her coming out of Grissom's office. He called her name and she turned around.
"I have the results of the print I found."
Sara's eyebrows rose as he came up to her. He smiled at her expression.
"Belongs to the mother. Lucky for us the school fingerprints the teachers as well."
She smiled, actually beamed at him. His heart skipped a beat and he nearly forgot to breathe.
"Let's get Brass," she said, excited.
"After you."
Greg and Sara arrived at the high school and met Brass on the steps to the school. He nodded to them as they climbed the steps.
"I called ahead and told them what's up," he said as he led them inside. "She's waiting in the principal's office."
"Is she sticking with her alibi?" Greg asked as they walked down the hall.
"She's not saying anything."
The three entered the office and saw their suspect sitting in a chair against the wall. She stared ahead as if she hadn't heard them enter.
"Mrs. Conner?" Brass asked, standing in front of her.
She didn't look at him and Brass tried again.
"We have evidence that you might have been in your daughter's room when she was murdered."
"You moved the music box, didn't you?" Sara asked, stepping closer.
Mrs. Conner stared at her then, a glint in her eyes. Sara shivered and subconsciously stepped closer to Greg.
"How did you know?"
"Dust," Greg answered as Sara reclaimed her composure.
She never understood how a parent could kill their children. She had seen it enough times, but it still surprised her.
"Her desk was covered in dust, except for an area that told us something went there. It took me awhile to realize that her music box went there instead of where it was found. You placed it there, because it had fallen in the struggle."
Mrs. Conner looked away, not saying anything.
"She never cleaned her room," she said finally. "I don't know how many times I've told her."
Sara stared at Greg, who shrugged. Clearly, he didn't understand it either.
"Let's go," Brass said as he helped Mrs. Conner stand.
"Lunch?" Greg asked as they made their way out.
Sara smiled. Only Greg could think of eating after such a case. Maybe it was his way of coping.
It couldn't hurt, she thought as they climbed into the SUV.
"Where?" Sara asked as she started the car.
"Hard Rock?"
Sara shook her head and headed in the direction. She didn't notice the car that pulled out of the parking lot and followed them.
