The Shrink

"Now, as I'm sure you're all aware," he began, releasing a shell-shocked Ecklie back into the group; "you're all here to improve your team dynamic. And that's why I'm here."

"Our team is fine." Grissom said defensively. Dr Gonzo's gaze flashed between Grissom and Ecklie. Eventually, he sat down, relaxed back into his seat and gestured towards them.

"Okay, why don't you tell me what prompted you to come here?"

Grissom sent an irritated look in Ecklie's direction, indicating that he could explain. Taking the hint, Conrad sat forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

"Well, it started a couple of months ago. Nick Stokes," he gestured to the Texan, "was kidnapped at a crime scene."

"I see." Dr Gonzo nodded, his eyes scanning Nick's face briefly before turning his attention back to Ecklie.

"After that, the team all started working together again after previously being split up."

"After you split us up." Warrick pointed out dryly.

"Anyway," Ecklie said, throwing a glare at the dark-skinned man. "A couple of weeks ago Grissom, Willows, Stokes and Sidle were working a crime scene when someone shot at Sidle."

Dr Gonzo cast his eyes around the room, eventually letting them settle on Sara, who was staring resolutely at the floor.

"And..." he pressed calmly. Ecklie shrugged awkwardly.

"Well, if they'd been working as a better team then it wouldn't have happened."

Dr Gonzo stood up and paced around the outside of the circle for a moment, a thoughtful frown on his face. He turned to Sara and opened his mouth, then closed it again. "Alright," he said at last. "Tell me what happened." The question was directed at the whole group but it was Grissom that spoke.

"At the crime scene?"

"Yes. Tell me, why did it happen?" Everyone went quiet, waiting for someone else to take the floor as it were. Eventually, Grissom cleared his throat.

"It was a murder scene – gun shot." He began. "Sara was working in the front garden. Brass was talking to neighbours. The killer came back – he'd been taking drugs and panicked when he saw the police so..."

"He pulled out a gun." Dr Gonzo finished. He tapped his pen on his knee thoughtfully. "Then what? Were you hurt Miss Sidle?"

"She hit her head when she fell to avoid the bullet." Nick answered for her.

"Alright. And how did you deal with this, as a team?"

"Sara went to hospital..."

"You phoned an ambulance?" He clarified, cutting the young man off mid-sentence.

"I took her." Catherine corrected, speaking up for the first time.

"Okay, Miss Willows?" He checked. "You drove her to the hospital. What then?" Cath frowned, not exactly sure what he wanted to know,

"Um, she was seen to and then I took her home."

"You took her home, to her house?"

"We stopped at the lab first." Sara added quietly. When he lifted an eyebrow for her to elaborate she shrugged. "Paperwork."

"I took her to my house; the doctors thought she might have concussion." Catherine continued. Dr Gonzo nodded enthusiastically as he listened.

"Well, I hope you're feeling better." He nodded at Sara, receiving a sarcastic smile in return. Not that he was paying attention anymore. He had turned back to Ecklie, who had been rolling his eyes throughout the team's story.

"So, Mr Ecklie. I repeat; why did you bring the team here this week?"

"Because of that." He said, frowning.

"Well, as far as I can tell there was an incident at work that was dealt with in a professional and caring manner. Everybody's still here and I'm assuming Mr...Shooter is in prison."

"Damn right." Brass chimed in gruffly.

"So then, I fail to see how these two events concerning Mr Stokes and Miss Sidle led to you booking this course."

Ecklie huffed exasperatedly. "You don't understand; this team have the highest record of incidents at work in the history of the lab." He explained. Dr Gonzo gestured for him to continue so he held up his hands and began counting off on his fingers. "Five years ago Grissom nearly got himself killed by a serial killer armed with an axe. Stokes got himself a stalker; Catherine got attacked at a crime scene..."

"That scene wasn't properly cleared." Cath interjected, earning her a glare.

"And," Conrad continued, "She nearly dated a murder suspect. Oh, and of course she blew up the lab, nearly killing Sanders and Sidle in the process." As he spoke Catherine slunk down in her seat, glowering at Ecklie beneath her eyelashes.

"Really?" Gonzo actually sounded impressed by her destructive record.

"And Sidle – she got held to ransom by a mental patient, pounced on a suspect and nearly blew herself up for the sake of some evidence."

"Important evidence." She added pointedly. He rolled his eyes.

"See, this is what I mean – they have no sense of respect for the rules or for each other's safety." His face broke out in a sneer. "Not to mention the law: gambling, drink-driving ..." Catherine felt Warrick twitch at her side but it was Sara who she was watching. The brunette's eyes flashed with anger, her skin paling.

"That's not cool, man." Nick snapped.

"You have no idea." Sara murmured, locking eyes with Ecklie across the circle.

"Now, let's back up a bit shall we." Gonzo tried to mediate but it was too late. The metaphorical camel's back had broken.

"Back off Conrad." Grissom warned.

"Figures you'd defend her, after all she is your little pet."

"Hey!" Sara snapped, insulted.

"Admit it Gil, it's the only reason she's still here."

"Hey, back off Ecklie." Nick repeated Grissom's warning. "Sara's a damn good CSI."

"It's okay Nick." Sara said quietly, putting a hand on his arm, but it was too late – his feathers were ruffled now.

"You come in and tear our team apart and then just when we're trying to get back to normal you insult us and drag us here to humiliate us?"

"Nicky." Catherine warned gently but he wasn't listening.

"Who gives you the right to talk to us like this?" He continued, getting hotter by the minute. Warrick placed a hand on his shoulder in an attempt to reign his temper in a bit.

"See Gil, this is some team you've got." Ecklie sneered, edging back a bit when Nick lunged for him.

"Now, now." Dr Gonzo called to no avail. "I think maybe a recess is in order. Who's for tea?"

"A drunk, a gambler, a stripper and angry boy here." The lab director continued, ignoring the shrink's attempts to calm the room.

"Hey," Greg called over the brewing fight, pointing at the door. En masse they turned to follow his line of sight in time to see the door slam shut. Head's turned as they deduced who was missing. Catherine released a sigh.

"Well done Conrad." She snapped, stalking to the door.

"Come on Nicky." Warrick dragged his mate by the arm, followed by Greg and Grissom.

"So, I guess we'll call it a day then?" Dr Gonzo suggested as the heavy door swung shut again with a loud bang. Brass wandered over from his safe viewing position by the window.

"Keep up the good work, Doc." He muttered as his drifted out after his teammates. Alone in the room, Ecklie turned to the rather stunned counsellor with a frustrated snarl.

"You see? You see what I have to work with?"

X x x

"Damn it!" Nick growled, holding his hand to his chest.

"Hey, don't take it out on the doorframe." Warrick chastised, sauntering over with the youngest team member hot on his heels.

"I should have hit him." The Texan snarled.

"Where are the girls?" Greg asked, peering around the corner.

"Cath's gone to find Sara." He said, still clutching his wounded hand.

"Do you think she's okay?"

"She'll be fine Greg." Warrick assured him. "Ecklie, on the other hand..."

X x x

In a hotel this size, needless to say it did not take Catherine long to find Sara.

"Are you sure that's a good idea, under the circumstances?" She asked, taking a seat next to the brunette at the bar. Sara scowled at her, nursing a bottle between her hands. "Joke." Cath said, holding up her hands. She shook her head when the barman started to approach and turned to face her young colleague. "Don't let him get to you."

"What if he's right?" Sara asked, taking Catherine by surprise.

"Sara..." she started, but the young woman cut her off.

"What if the only reason I work there is because of Grissom ... because of..." she didn't finish her sentence, but then she didn't need to. "It's not the first time I've had that thought." Cath reached out and covered Sara's hand with her own.

"Sara, you are a great CSI. Grissom's feelings aside, our team wouldn't be the same without you." She insisted forcefully. When Sara averted her gaze, Catherine gripped her hand tighter. "Hey, look at me." She said sternly. Slowly, Sara cast her eyes upwards. Cath offered a small smile that she hoped would be comforting. "Sara, do these feelings have anything to do with what we were talking about last night?" She asked gently. Sara fidgeted with the bottle in her hands nervously.

"What do you mean?"

"Honey, there is nothing wrong with who you are. Don't let anything that Ecklie, or anyone else says make you think otherwise." Sara did not look entirely convinced so Cath grabbed her stool and physically turned her around, making it significantly harder for her to avoid the blonde's gaze. Having got her undivided attention the older woman didn't speak; she just waited for Sara to open up. After a long minute, she took a deep breath and started to talk.

"When they find out, people have a habit of deciding they don't want to be friends anymore." She admitted softly, wringing her hands together. "Or they start to keep themselves at arm's length. It's like I'm contagious." She shrugged helplessly. "I just don't want that to happen again." Catherine shook her head, a sympathetic smile on her face.

"Oh Sara," she whispered. "That's never going to happen." She reached out and pulled the young brunette into her arms, rubbing her back gently. Sara let herself relax into Cath's embrace, breathing in deeply.

"Thank you." She mumbled against her neck. "You know," she mused pulling back, "you're the first straight female friend I have who has taken it well."

Catherine laughed and stood up, trailing a hand across her friend's shoulder.

"Come on, let's go." Sara shook her head, indicating her half-finished drink.

"Thanks, I'm gonna stay here for a while." When Catherine sent her a sceptical look she smiled reassuringly. "I just need to think for a while." She promised. Cath narrowed her eyes and nodded.

"Okay. Don't be too long." The blonde started to walk away but stopped, leaning down towards Sara's ear. "By the way; when, in five years working together, have you ever heard me say I'm straight?"

On her way to the lobby she turned back only once, throwing a wicked grin towards the perplexed CSI staring at her across the bar.

x x x x

Cyber snacks for anyone who reviews :)