This is a collection of stories about Gil, and how he copes with Sara's departure. There'll be no chronological order, and no continuity, except where indicated.

This time, it's Ecklie who intervenes.

December 16

Conrad Ecklie rose from the visitor's seat in Gil Grissom's office.

"That's it, then," he said, handing a thin volume to Grissom. "The sheriff expects the personnel from all shifts to comply with the new regulations as soon as possible." He paused for a moment, in case Grissom had some mordant comment to make, but Grissom merely took the book and stared at it.

Ecklie turned to go, but hesitated when he reached the door. He glanced over his shoulder and saw Grissom open the book and frown at it.

Ecklie took a deep breath and then he walked back into the office

"Gil -"

Grissom seemed surprised to see that Ecklie was still there. Then his expression changed; he may have noticed something in Ecklie's face or in the tone of his voice, because he suddenly seemed uncomfortable, as if he knew what Ecklie was about to say.

"Listen, Gil," Ecklie said, "I know you don't want to hear this, but -"

"You're right," Gil said calmly, "I don't."

"-but I have some experience in this type of situation," Ecklie finished.

Grissom sat back and waited. He had an idea of what Ecklie was going to say. It was about Sara, and coming from Ecklie, it was not going to be good. 'I told you so' perhaps.

And that would only be the beginning.

Grissom smiled to himself. He wondered what kind of penalty he would get for punching Conrad on the face. It was probably in the new regulation book resting in front of him; pity he hadn't had time to read it yet...

Ecklie looked solemn as he spoke.

"There's a lot I could say," he started, "But there's only one thing that really matters here." He paused for a moment, "Don't keep it to yourself."

Grissom frowned. This was definitely not what he was expecting.

Ecklie didn't pause for long.

"I know you," he said. "You don't like to discuss personal matters. But believe me when I say this: you better find someone to talk to. 'Cause if you don't…" he paused, as if he were searching for the right thing to say, "If you don't, then every feeling you've got for her will slowly turn into something you will hardly recognize."

Grissom's frown deepened. He still had no idea what Ecklie meant.

Ecklie didn't see the look on Gil's eyes. He wouldn't have cared, anyway. He had a faraway look in his eyes as he added, "You don't know how terrible it is to wake up one day and realize that all you feel is resentment and bitterness."

Grissom eyed him skeptically. Ecklie didn't know what he was talking about. Gil would never resent Sara; he'd never think of her with bitterness. Sadness, yes, but not bitterness -

But before he could finish this thought, a new one intruded in his mind. It was the memory of a recent conversation.

Just a few days before, Catherine had been talking to him and gently chiding him for 'looking like someone died'. jAt one point she had told him how Sara would not want him to grieve while she was gone, to which Grissom had replied, 'What makes you think you know what Sara wants? I thought I knew. I thought I knew her, but I was wrong.'

Grissom froze as he recognized the feelings behind those words.

Resentment and bitterness.

It broke his heart to think that he could ever feel like this towards Sara.

He looked at Ecklie.

In other circumstances, these would have been the hardest words to say. But in this case, there was genuine gratitude behind them.

"Thank you, Conrad," Gil said.

The End --- there'll be more stories but there won't be any continuity between them -except where indicated.