BROKEN WINGS

CHAPTER ONE

"Nick, Greg, you have an apparent murder-suicide at the Tropicana. Warrick, help out with Catherine's case—she may need to break off for court."

"You got it, boss." There was a pregnant pause. The men took the hint and filed out.

"What about me?" Sara asked Grissom.

Grissom sighed. He hated to do this, but had no choice. "I need you to process a female. A rape victim at Desert Palm." He looked at her, concern evident in his blue eyes.

"That's fine." Sara said evenly. Seeing his expression, her face softened briefly. He worries about me. "Gris, I'll be fine, really."

"If you have any difficulties?"

"You'll be my first call." A smile flashed on her pretty face. "Now give." She stood and took the assignment slip. Grissom was still blocking her exit.

"Anything else?"

"Uh..." So much I'd like to say. Don't get emotionally involved, honey. Don't burn out on me...don't leave. This isn't the time or the place...but when?...where?

Sara touched the back of his hand reassuringly. "You'll be here? In the lab?"

Grissom finally smiled. "I'll be here, Sara."

Sara parked the SUV and trudged toward the hospital reluctantly. Seems like I'm here every week. Every night, sometimes.

"Hi, I'm Sara Sidle, from the Crime Lab?"

"Yes, Miss Sidle?"

"I'm here to collect evidence from..." she looked at her slip of paper, "a Susan Fisher."

"Of course. Right this way."

The nurse's aide led her to a room with two curtained beds. Only one was occupied. Sara could see the silhouette of a nurse moving about the bed. She cleared her throat politely.

"Hi? I'm from the Crime Lab, may I come in?"

"Yes."

Sara slid the curtain aside and came face to face with an attractive brunette in green scrubs. Little stuffed animals were pinned on her chest. They stared at each other for a moment.

"Hello. I'm, CSI Sara...Sidle," she stammered. "You look familiar. Do I know you?"

The nurse looked her over for a moment then laughed heartily. "I'm Debbie. Come here, I'll show you." Debbie took Sara's arm and led her to the small restroom. The light came on automatically as she opened the door.

Debbie pointed at the mirror. "See?" she said, smiling into the reflection of both faces.

"You...we look alike!" Sara laughed too. "I guess you do look familiar."

"You do too." Then her expression grew serious. "You're here for Susan?"

"That's right." Taking advantage of their distance from the patient, Sara asked, "Can you tell if she was..."

"Raped?" the nurse said quietly. "No doubt about it. We gave her a sedative. You won't be able to talk to her for a few hours..."

"That's fine. I can get the trace evidence from her now. Did you do a SART kit? Do you have her clothes?"

"Yes. Right here."

"Guess you know the drill."

They exchanged a sad smile. "Yes. We get too many rape victims."

Sara began shooting photos of the woman's face and body, combing her hair, scraping her fingernails, documenting her injuries. She felt compelled to keep talking to the nurse. There's something about her... Sara didn't know it, but Debbie felt the same.

"So why haven't I seen you before?"

"Oh, I transferred down here about three months ago. I was in post-op, seventh floor." A shadow crossed her face.

Sara saw it. "Any particular reason why?"

"The doctors...well, the surgeons really, are a bunch of creeps. Think nurses are only here to satisfy their sexual needs."

"Really."

"Yeah. It's something. And one guy was getting clingy...I could tell you stories!"

"I'd like that." Sara's voice deepened.

"Like what?"

"To hear your stories." Their eyes met, acknowledging the mutual attraction.

Debbie's eyes smiled. I'm interested. "I'm due for my dinner break..."

"What a coincidence. So am I." They chuckled.

"To the cafeteria, then."

TBC