A/N: Reviews bring on the next chapter! Thanks so much! And who wouldn't love Grissom as Santa!

Christmas Needs Love to be Christmas

Chapter 2: All the Shopping's Done

Grissom had to admit he looked like Santa Claus. Greg had worked wonders with a long white beard and an equally realistic-looking white wig. Sara had padded the red suit to fill out the belly and helped fit the shiny black boots on his feet.

Greg watched as Sara put finishing touches on Grissom's face before saying "You look great! Kids will love you—just remember to smile!"

Grissom scowled. "How many?" Then he quickly grinned and added "Ho-ho-ho! Merry Christmas, little Greg-go. And how many bomb kits do you want for Christmas?"

Sara provided an answer: "Thirty-two kids—eighteen under the age of ten. The teenagers will help with gifts for the younger ones." She touched a finger to his nose. "Just be jolly!" When she giggled, it caused the same reaction in the two men.

After a few more adjustments to the costume, the three were out the door and on their way to one of the children's shelters in the county. Most of the kids were there on a temporary basis waiting for a parent or relative to claim them; a few lived there while parents were incarcerated for less than a year. Except for the youngest, the children, who had experienced many disappointments in their young lives, had few expectations for Christmas and knew they were dependent on strangers for any gifts that might come. The crime lab employees had taken the shelter as their holiday project and Gil Grissom, with the encouragement of everyone in the lab, agreed to play Santa Claus.

From the street, the shelter house had the appearance of a large ranch-style home with the exception of the numerous parking spaces in front and the extra security screening upon entering the front door. Nothing about the house reflected its true purpose as Santa arrived in a dark SUV and managed to slip inside unnoticed by any of the children.

Before Santa arrived, others had delivered presents—plans had been made so every child would get four wrapped gifts. Nothing large, no bicycles, no electronics, but trucks, cars, dolls, stuffed animals, puzzles, musical toys, blocks, art supplies, and books were all wrapped in colorful paper and tied with festive bows. Older kids would get gift cards, new pajamas, fingernail polish, stylish jewelry, tee shirts, backpacks, and with the generosity of one person, fourteen IPod shuffles in a rainbow of colors had been purchased for the teenagers.

A dozen people from the lab, including the D.B and his wife, Henry, Mandy and David Hodges, were already there when Santa, Sara, and Greg walked into the house. Plans were explained and Santa took his place near the Christmas tree, appearing to be busy leaving presents. The six adults who supervised the house called everyone into the large living room and from the arrival of the first children, chaos reigned—somewhat organized as names were called and Santa passed gifts to excited children who were either struck speechless or became complete chatterboxes as they unwrapped presents with the speed of lightening.

The smallest children, who believed a visit from Santa meant Christmas, were happy the man in the red suit had arrived early; older kids played along with their excitement, thanked Santa for their gifts, and helped younger ones discover puzzles and blocks, trucks that transformed and uses for art kits. The older ones knew gifts were given that were easily packed—their lives and possessions could be placed in a suitcase on quick notice.

Santa Claus and D.B. helped the boys who had gotten building blocks and cars—and soon a road built of boxes and paper was spread across one end of the living room. For the first time in decades, Sara showed a five-year-old how to redress a doll. Greg provided assistance with downloading music. Cupcakes and punch interrupted play and provided an exit for Santa who shook hands of small children giving a reasonable jolly "ho-ho-ho" as he left with his two 'helpers'. The older children immediately re-directed the attention of small ones so questions of reindeer and going up a non-existent chimney were avoided.

"That went well," Grissom said as he climbed into the back seat, fastened his seat belt and scratched his beard.

Sara and Greg laughed. "It did," Sara added. "And you look very much like Santa! Stop scratching! Santa has another appearance." She checked traffic and headed for their next stop.

Lights sparkled around Betty Grissom's home as Sara's edged her vehicle to the curb where a dozen cars were parked. When his mother learned her son was playing Santa, she insisted he arrive at her annual Christmas Eve party in costume—even providing a large red sack filled with gifts for staff and faculty who would be there.

"I'll never know how I agreed to all of this," Grissom grumbled as Sara smoothed his red suit and the white beard.

"You'll be fine!" She kissed his cheek. "And I have to go to work in an hour."

The three entered the house after Greg pressed the doorbell causing a quick blinking of lights inside. Even after attending several of Betty's celebratory parties, Sara still found the silence of a deaf party uncomfortable and unnerving; she knew her signing had improved but her efforts appeared simple and childish compared to Betty and her company.

At this party, after quick greetings to everyone, she and Greg made their way to the kitchen and left Grissom entertaining the group as Santa. Together, they washed a few dishes, refilled food trays, and managed to stay busy for almost an hour.

"Grissom's having a good time," Greg said as they watched some kind of guessing game among the guests.

Sara laughed. "Betty said she had several fun games that everyone loved to play—only she didn't tell Gil he was going to be part of the fun!" She waved as he held up a round package.

Quickly, he passed the parcel to his mother and met Sara and Greg as they headed to the door. "You're really going to leave me here?" He asked.

Sara grinned, leaned to his face, and kissed him. "Yes, Santa. We're heading to work—someone has to keep the streets safe and gather evidence! And your mother is thrilled you are here!"

Accepting his fate, Grissom shrugged. "Take care—both of you." He kissed Sara and then gave her a two-arm hug. "Santa's belly gets in my way," he said with a laugh. "And Merry Christmas—I'll check on you later, okay?"

While Las Vegas partied on Christmas Eve, the lab was quiet. Several people had brought holiday foods for the break room; someone played Christmas music and for several hours, everyone sat in the break room eating and talking about childhood memories of past Christmases.

D.B. answered his phone for the first call of the shift—a hit and run with injuries on the Strip.

"We'll take it," Sara volunteered. "There's always paperwork for the supervisor."

The victim was mortally injured, dead before the EMT's arrived. Police were still taking statements from everyone who had remained at the scene when Sara and Greg arrived. David Phillips looked up as they arrived.

He said, "No identification in her purse." He held out a small beaded bag. "Lots of cash and a key card." He waited for Sara and Greg to look over the body.

"Pretty girl," Greg said as he opened the purse. "Wow! Yeah, she's got…nearly a thousand dollars in here." He held up the keycard. "It looks like The Grand," he motioned toward the large hotel and casino across the street.

Sara had kneeled beside the body. "No matter what's done to prevent people from crossing this street, they find a way! Why don't people use the crosswalks?" She expected no answer; with a sigh, she stood. "I'll take the keycard to the hotel and see if I can find a name." She waved for a young policeman to go with her. "Now her family will never have another merry Christmas."

Fifteen minutes later, Sara had the name and room number for Jackie Summers who had checked in two days ago. Jim Brass arrived just as they left the front desk with the hotel's night manager.

"I thought you had the night off," Sara said as he joined them in the elevator.

"I have nothing else planned, so I thought I'd help you." He grinned. "Beside, I heard we might get a visit from Santa tonight."

They went through the usual routine of knocking before the manager used his pass-key to open the door. Hearing noise, Jim immediately touched his gun before the young policeman whispered "It's Muppets—my kids watch that constantly."

All the lights were on in the room, the television played, a half-eaten room service tray was on the floor. Both beds were tangled with covers; several suitcases were scattered across the floor.

"Looks like a storm hit this room," Sara said as she stepped over one empty suitcase. She lifted a small shirt from the floor. "This is a child's shirt—did she have anyone with her?"

"No," the manager said as he checked a print-out. "She has a car in the garage. Nothing indicates she used our childcare facility."

Brass picked up keys near the television and handed them to the policeman. "See if you can find her car. Registration and license may help."

The manager left with the policeman. Sara began her search for identification by opening a drawer in the bedside table.

She said "Nothing but a Bible." The Muppets were singing. "Jim, can you turn that off?" She leaned to the floor and picked up a small sock. Holding it between her fingers, she said "Look at this—one sock?"

Brass muted the sound.

In the moment of silence that followed, as she and Jim Brass looked at each other and then looked at the sock, a faint sound caused both heads to turn toward the closet. Brass touched the gun at his side at the same time Sara shook her head and put a finger against her lips. Another few seconds passed before they heard the same sound again.

Sara quietly stepped to the closet door and slid it open to reveal several dresses hanging on a rod, clothes piled on the floor, and a well-worn stuffed bear dangling from a hidden source. She kneeled, gently separating the hanging clothing with her hand.

A/N: Ahhhh-the mystery! LOL! Review-next chapter quickly!