Chapter 1

I looked out of the filthy cab window as the cab driver mumbled on about how the city was going to hell. I closed my eyes and exhaled the pent up breath I unconsciously held within. I slowly opened my eyes and watched as the once comforting lights of Las Vegas brushed by. Every memory that flashed through my mind was tainted by death. I was once over there at a crime scene, at that ally I found a knife that was used to murder a child. Tears swelled up as we passed more casinos on the strip, as thoughts fluttered through my mind. Fear seeped into my skin at the thought of leaving Grissom. A tear slipped down my cheek as his face flashed through my mind. I love you, I thought. Hopefully you know that and understand that I have to do this, I prayed silently.

2 Years Later

"Hey Gill...are you okay?" asked Catherine. I glanced up at her, as she was standing at my desk with her hands on her hips. I swallowed and nodded.

"How are you Cath? How's Lindsay?" I asked, changing the subject.

"Were fine...Are you thinking about...?" She asked, not wanting to say her name, as it might physically hurt me for some reason. I got up and walked over to one of the numerous book shelves and pulled out a entomology text book. I started flipping through the pages and finally landed on one that depicted a beautiful butterfly.

"Brazilian Butterfly. That's the one we found at the crime scene. Its rare, found only in the southern parts of Africa, and Brazil. Directly links our suspect to the victim though, as he has credit card receipts saying he purchased one from a local buyer. Of course along with other incriminating evidence we found at his apartment. I'm thinking this buyer, sells more than just rare insects." I said, changing the subject yet once again, to our current case. She pursed her lips and came over to stand beside me. She glanced at me than at the picture.

"Pretty...okay I'll call Brass and tell him to bring him in."She said. She started walking out the door then turned around. "Griss...we all love Sara...and no one would blame you for moving on...we just want you to be happy." I looked at her as she smiled and I nodded. As she realized that was all she was going to get she walked out of the room. I exhaled and sat down in my chair. I reached inside my desk and brought out her letter. The letter that said she loved me. The letter she also said goodbye. I ran my hands over the worn paper. I had read it so many times it looked like it was 10 years old, instead of 2. I sighed and pushed the letter back into my desk. Thoughts of Sara, where she was, if she was okay, were pushed aside by the vibrating of my phone. I pulled it out and saw that it said "Catherine". I flipped it open and heard rap music in the background. "Hey Gris. You better get down to here. At the Surreal Club off of Imperial. I guess our guy is gonna shown tonight to do a deal with a promising buyer that the FEDS have been trying to catch for awhile." She yelled into the phone. I picked up my coat and held the phone with my shoulder to my ear.

"Be there in a few minutes." I yelled into the phone so she could hear me over the loud music, if that's what you called music. I walked through the halls of the lab quickly to get to my sedan. If the FEDS think they are going to take our witness/suspect then they were in for some news. I quickly drove to the club that was off of imperial. Young girls with short skirts and colourful shirts were walking into the club, giggling. Obviously being under aged. I walked up to the bouncer that was looking at some list and flashed my ID. He nodded but didn't seem to happy about it. I walked in and was greeted by a young blonde stumbling into me.

"Uh...Sorry..." She said, running to the bathroom drunkenly. I shook my head and glanced around the room. I quickly noticed Catherine sitting on a stool at the bar and made my way through the gyrating bodies on the dance floor. I got to her alive and she finally noticed me. She waved and I walked over to her.

"Hey..." She said to me then turned her gaze and nodded at 4 different men who were stationed around the room, at all of the exists. FEDS. I slumped onto the stool next to her and asked

"When is he supposed to show?" She lifted her shoulders.

"Any minute. But then we have to wait for him to make contact with the buyer." She said. I nodded