Please know that we are testing the waters with this first chapter to see if there is any interest...so let us know if we should continue!
La Salle Arrière
Authors: Ash, Xanti, Triplepirouette
Legal fluff: The characters are CBS's property...and we're all poor...have mercy.
Summary: Sara has to go undercover with an agent from the FBI (G/S eventually)
Spoilers: None that we are aware of....
Notes: Well we thought it was probably about time that we posted something to the group so here's a little something that has been on the go for the better part of 3 months. Originally it started out as a response to a challenge to include movie quotes in a G/S fic, but has ended up taking a different route. Any and all comments are welcome, enjoy!
Please note this is a WIP
Chapter One: An Indecent ProposalGrissom checked his watch as he strode down the hallway, sighing as he realized that he was officially late. He had warned Covallo that he was far too busy tonight to attend a meeting, but the Director had insisted. Sometimes he really hated the political side of his job. Rounding the corner to the meeting room, he did a quick survey of faces as he entered, recognizing all but one of the occupants.
"Gil Grissom this is Special Agent Lauren Clark of the FBI," introduced Covallo. "The Feds have requested our assistance in one of their cases," he explained, giving Grissom his best 'you better behave' look.
Grissom nodded politely at the female agent and took the empty seat between Brass and Ecklie, offering no explanation as to why he was late.
Agent Clark rose gracefully from her seat. "Okay, now that we're all here," she paused, looking briefly at Grissom. "Lets get the show on the road." The room plunged into semi-darkness as she hit the light switch and flicked on the nearby projector. Sensing that she had everyone's attention, she launched enthusiastically into her presentation.
Everyone became absorbed in the case as Agent Clark's confident voice led them through the twist and turns of a kidnapping spree. When she reached the section of her presentation that involved the participation of the crime lab, Grissom's expression changed from one of scientific interest to one of utter disbelief and anger. Keeping his opinions to himself for the moment, he let the agent complete her speech.
After another 30 minutes of outlining the joint operation, Agent Clark strode over to the doorway and flicked the lights back on. "Any questions," she asked, the steely look in her eyes daring someone to speak up.
Grissom seized the opportunity. "You're kidding right?" he asked contemptuously.
"Mr Grissom, I can assure you that had I been kidding, we would not have spent the better part of two hours sitting around this table," she replied sarcastically. Agent Cullpepper had warned her about Grissom's attitude towards the FBI during the Strip Strangler Case, she wasn't about to let him jeopardize this operation.
Covallo quickly intervened, sensing that things were about to turn ugly. "Gil, I've already promised our full co-operation with this case, so if you feel the need to vent at someone, direct it at me," he instructed.
Grissom sighed as he removed his glasses and set them on the table. "Robert, you and I both know we've been down this path before. I objected to the use of my CSI's in the last operation and I still have the same objections this time around. I won't sit by and let you willingly place any member of my team in a dangerous situation," he stated matter-of-factly.
"Dr Grissom," addressed Agent Clark. "We are not taking this suspect lightly, there will be a team of FBI agents keeping a tight watch over your CSI..."
"Trust me Agent Clark," interrupted Grissom. "If this man means to take a human life, he'll find a way to take it, regardless of who is sitting outside in a black van."
"Okay look, the operation is going ahead regardless," declared Covallo, beginning to lose patience. "How can we help you feel more comfortable with the idea Gil?" he asked, trying to appease the nightshift supervisor.
Grissom snorted. "You can't help me feel more 'comfortable' Robert. In case I haven't made myself clear, I am totally opposed to the idea," he said forcefully. "However, as it seems that my opinions are irrelevant at this time, I do have a couple of stipulations before we proceed."
"Which are?" asked Covallo and Agent Clark in unison.
"Firstly, I want the authorization to use other members of my team as undercover operatives, including Jim and myself," Grissom demanded, raising an eyebrow at Brass who nodded in return. "If we are going to do this, I want to use people that I can trust."
"We can come to some arrangement on that," acquiesced Agent Clark.
"Secondly," continued Grissom, directing his request towards Covallo. "I don't want anyone else from the lab involved in this operation unless they have been cleared by me."
"Now wait just a minute..." spluttered Ecklie.
"Conrad, please," said Covallo, holding his hands up to hush the dayshift supervisor. "Okay Gil, but I want Conrad kept in the loop about what is going on."
"Fine," conceded Grissom. "But he has no direct involvement," he said, speaking as though Ecklie were not even present.
"Agreed," said Covallo.
"Don't I even get a say in the matter?" fumed Ecklie, staring intently at Covallo.
"No," stated Grissom, not even bothering to look at the man beside him. "Now if there's nothing else, I'd like to prepare a briefing for my team, "he said, rising from his seat and walking out the door.
Less than two hours later, the night shift team was gathered around the same table, waiting for their oh-so-fearful leader to arrive. Grissom had been adamant that everyone was to attend this "emergency" meeting, but he had yet to show up.
In order to relieve the boredom of waiting around, the CSI's had decided to entertain themselves as best they could. Sara and Greg were deeply involved in a mind numbing game of Tic-Tac-Toe. Warrick and Nick had made a makeshift paper football and were proceeding to have their own mini-championship game. Of course, there was a wager on the outcome that whoever lost owed the other person five bucks. Catherine meanwhile, was flipping through a forensic magazine that she had picked up from the break room on her way over.
Finally, Grissom stormed into the meeting room bringing a 'don't mess with me' attitude with him. He set a stack of files on the table and sat down without looking at anyone.
"Glad to see you could join us," said Catherine, trying to lighten the mood. Any hope of that was quickly shot down by the glare that Grissom directed at her.
"As some of you know, I had a meeting with Director Covallo earlier this evening," he began. "It seems that despite my strong objections, we have been volunteered to assist on a new case."
"Volunteered?" asked Warrick, voicing the question on everyone's mind.
"It would seem that in his infinite wisdom, Covallo has offered our assistance to the FBI," replied Grissom peevishly.
"Co-operation with what exactly?" asked Nick skeptically.
"It seems that a number of strippers have been disappearing from various cities around the United States," explained Grissom. "The type of girls targeted, differ in each location. In L.A. they were blonds. In New York, red heads...anyway, you get the idea. Yesterday was the first sign that our suspect may have made Vegas his next objective."
"Okay so where do we come in?" enquired Sara. "Examining the bodies? Evidence?"
"Well so far, they haven't found any bodies. The women just seem to have disappeared from the face of the earth," replied Grissom.
Greg started to whistle the theme tune to 'The Twilight Zone', only to stop suddenly as Grissom peered at him over the top of his glasses.
"Our involvement," continued Grissom, "is to pose as undercover operatives."
"What? Isn't that the FBI's job?" exclaimed Catherine. "We aren't trained in that area."
"Which is why I was so vehemently opposed to the idea," agreed Grissom. "But apparently the fact that one of our team is the perfect match to our suspect's first Vegas victim, seemed to be enough to convince Covallo," he explained. "The feds are in a hurry to get the operation underway before our kidnapper has a chance to strike again."
"Oh, so Catherine is going to pose as a stripper," said Sara, as she mulled things over in her mind. "Logical choice really. Unless of course, our suspect would prefer one of you in drag," she said, smiling playfully at Nick and Greg.
"Uh not exactly," Grissom replied, staring intently at Sara.
Her right eyebrow raised in confusion. "Well girls are disappearing, the best way to catch this guy would be to have someone pose undercover as a stripper."
"I agree," replied Grissom in an even tone.
"Well if it's not Catherine then..." she said, trailing off as she stared at him in disbelief.
Grissom saw the light bulb go on over her head and gave her a slight nod.
"Um, Grissom, I hate to be the one to burst your bubble here, but I'm not nor have ever been a stripper. Catherine is MUCH more qualified for the job than I am. I 't you like slap a wig on Cat or something? Anything?" Sara watched as Grissom shook his head in the negative; her own head mirroring the movement before dropping on to the table with a 'thud'.
"Sara, you do have the right to say no to this, since it's not really part of your job." Grissom explained. "However, given your previous involvement with the FBI, they feel that you are the perfect choice for this operation."
"Yeah well it's one thing to pretend to shop in a supermarket but another thing entirely to dance half-naked in front of a room full of strangers," Sara mumbled.
"Well if it's any consolation, Special Agent Lauren Clark will also pose as a stripper. Although she has a background in dance, she will join you for some instruction in...uh...exotic dancing," said Grissom tactfully.
Sara glanced menacingly around the room. "Okay, one wisecrack from anyone and I promise you, you'll wish you'd never been born."
"Yes ma'am," replied Nick in mock seriousness, earning him a dark look from a very agitated Sara Sidle.
"Okay," said Grissom, attempting to proceed. "In addition to Sara being undercover, Nick, Brass and myself will be posing as patrons at the club. If anyone is going to watch Sara's back, I'd prefer that it was us."
"I'm sure that's not all you'll be watching," mumbled Catherine, earning herself another glare from Grissom.
"So where do you want me Griss," asked Warrick, who had been relatively quiet through the whole meeting.
"Warrick, I'm counting on you and Catherine to keep on top of the regular workload. Any problems, let me know and we'll offload some of the work to the day shift," Grissom replied.
"Sure thing," nodded Warrick.
"Hey, Grissom didn't you forget me?" Greg asked
"Forget you how?" Grissom asked the younger man.
"Well I mean if any of us are going to be acting like patrons in a stripper club, I was thinking that Nicky, Warrick, and myself would be the most convincing..." Greg stated.
"Are you saying that Jim and I will not make credible clientele?" challenged Grissom. Everyone else could see that he was getting irritated, however Greg didn't seem to notice in his quest to see Sara as a stripper.
"Well," replied Greg, charging head-on to his doom. "The three of us exude masculinity and young virility. You and Brass are more distinguished... distinguished guys in a strip club are just...deviant," he explained.
"Deviant?" repeated Grissom, his voice raising an octave as he took an intimidating step towards Greg. "Care to elaborate on that?"
"Whoa Griss," interrupted Nick, moving into the space between the two men and holding his hands up in supplication. "Greg's just not thinking with the head on his shoulders, if you catch my drift," he said, trying to placate the older man.
"For the sake of Sara's safety I think it's prudent to have the most experienced people there. Understood?" Grissom asked, his eyes boring holes into Greg.
The young lab technician nodded his head in the affirmative.
"Good, everyone is excused," stated Grissom in a tone that left no room for argument.
As he began to collect his papers, he didn't notice that everyone had left except for Sara, who remained in her seat. Her voice startled him, "Why me Grissom? I mean I'm not sure if I can pull this operation off. The last one only had me pretending to shop for groceries."
Grissom turned to look at her. "Because you have the beauty and the grace to make this believable," he said ambiguously, picking up his briefcase and walking out the door.
Sara stared after him, confusion etched on her face. 'Why does he say things like that to me,' she wondered silently.
TBC?
