Chapter Six:
He was already irritated the moment he saw her tap on his door. She had called in sick the next day and he hadn't bothered to find out the reason but now she stood in front of him and he knew she would not bother coming unless there was a problem.
"Are you feeling better?" he asked.
She nodded.
"Good."
He stared at her. She seemed different. He couldn't seem to place his finger on it but she was different.
"Grissom, I thought you would need this for my personnel file…for later when…" she didn't finish but handed him the pregnancy statement.
He face grew ashen.
He stared at it.
This can't be…
She's pregnant…
She's slept with someone…
She's made love to someone..
She's just trappled on my heart…
His eyes grew dark and she suddenly seemed afraid.
"I know it will mean that I will need some time off eventually but since I'm only…"
"This doesn't entitle you to special treatment," he said.
"I wasn't expecting any," she said quickly.
"Catherine can tell you the department expects you to perform your job throughout the entire pregnancy. There won't be…"
"I didn't ask for any!" she shot back.
"I'm sure Hank is happy…"
Hank?
He thinks I slept with Hank?
He doesn't even think he could be the father?
Of course not….
I sleep around…
I…
She did not reply.
"I'll turn this in," he said as he watched her leave quickly.
She grabbed her assignment and rushed out the door. He felt his resolve give way the moment she left.
I was too late…
How could she?
He cursed.
I wish she had left…
I wish I had not given her job back…
I wishI hadn't been so stupid…
I wish I was the father…
But then I would have had to make love to her…
Only in my dreams…
Only in my dreams…
She finished her assignment and didn't complain when she was handed another assignment which led into a double shift. She ignored the nausea and nibbled on some crackers she kept in her pocket. He avoided her, assigning her to work with the others to avoid having any contact with her.
Probably doesn't want to admit he's….
Of course he probably thought I was Sofia…
Probably doesn't even remember…
I don't care…
I don't care..
Why does it hurt so much…
He waited for her when she returned to the lab and she knew there was a lecture to follow. He escorted her to the break room and sat her down placing a bag in front of her.
"What the hell are you doing?" asked Brass.
"Trying to keep my job," she said as she pulled out the sandwich and began to eat.
"You told him, right?"
"Yes. He said there would be no special treatment…I didn't ask for any…I don't want any," she yawned.
"He said no special treatment?"
She nodded.
"You're pregnant."
"Look, I can do my job. I just need some time to rest. I'm not going to slack on the job…"
He interrupted her. "Sara, I've never known you to slack on anything...I'll talk with him…."
"No! This is my problem."
"You're tired. You can't push yourself Sara. Your body is trying to adjust to being pregnant. You're risking the baby's health as well as your own."
She stiffened.
He recognized the look and wished he had not said anything here.
"We'll talk at home. Okay?" he said. He leaned down and kissed her on the forehead.
"Thanks, Jim. I would really just like to go home and sleep," she said as she finished the food before getting up.
She slept until an hour before shift. Brass checked on her before leaving himself. It was Grissom's phone call that woke her. She grabbed her phone.
"Sidle" she said sleepily.
"Why aren't you in here?" asked Grissom.
Sara quickly glanced at her watch. "I'm not late. I'll be there. Is there a problem?"
"We need to review the time line progression you completed once more. The Sheriff has had another murder. He seems to think it's the guy you let go."
"But you looked over it…Grissom I did everything you told me…"
She dropped the phone and ran to the bathroom. He could hear her as she threw up. He cringed remembering the feeling when he had the flu.
She returned shortly, picking up the phone. "I'm sorry Grissom. I'll be in. I won't be late."
He heard the click.
She arrived on time rushing into the conference room just as the others were sitting down to go over assignments. Nick glanced at her and pulled up a chair beside him. As she sat down, he leaned over and whispered, "We need to talk."
She looked at him and she could see the concern written on his face. She pulled out her notepad and tried to focus on the paper before her. It was Greg's staring that finally made her look up.
"What?" she said agitated.
"You look awful," he said.
"Thanks Greg," she said.
She sat up a little straighter and tried to seem less tired. It made her tired. She decided to save her energy for work.
"No, really Sara are you sick?" he asked.
"I'm fine," she said. She felt her stomach flip when she saw him approaching and her eyes shot back to the pad in front of her.
Grissom came in and began to go through the list of cases. He avoided looking in her direction but kept his eyes focused on the list.
"We're going to have to do some rearranging from time to time since Sara will not be able to work on some cases. She can make it up by sorting through evidence. Everyone will still be carrying the same amount of work."
"Sara?" asked Nick.
Sara felt her stomach churn. She was not prepared to be placed in this position so quickly. She felt their eyes on her.
"You are sick," said Greg.
She looked at Grissom and he saw the pain in her eyes. He did not know the others had not been told. He assumed she had already told them before coming to him.
"I'm not sick, Greg. I'm pregnant." She said softly. "I'm sorry this has to affect all of you. I don't intend to make any of you do more than…"
"I don't mind," said Nick quickly. "Any time you need my help just let me know," Nick then turned toward Grissom. "I don't mind Grissom."
"Me either," said Warrick.
Greg stared at her and said nothing.
Her eyes returned to her paper.
"I survived it," said Catherine. "The first couple of months were a bitch with the morning sickness but you'll be fine. Just don't overdo it….The guys helped cover for me with the doubles…remember Grissom? If it wasn't for Grissom helping, I'm not sure I would have gotten through it," said Catherine.
He did not reply although he felt his cheeks burn. His eyes remained fixed on the assignments just as Sara's remained on her pad. She felt her eyes water but refused to let her emotions take over.
They each walked out slowly stealing glances at one another. Sara was the first to head toward the door but she was called back by Grissom. She closed her eyes and willed herself to face him.
He waited until the others had left before speaking.
"Sara, about the assignments…."
"I'm not complaining…I understand…I expect no special treatment. I don't want any…I don't want anything from you," she blurted out before she could stop herself.
"Okay." He felt his jaw twitch as he continued, " I thought you had already told everyone since you brought me the medical statement."
"It's not something I'm proud of. I guess its best that it's out now," she said as she turned to leave but then stopped. "The time line progression…"
"I went through it again. Sara, your photos match the recorded documentation. I didn't see anything wrong."
She sighed. "Good. I can look over it or call the sheriff…"
"I'll handle the sheriff."
"It was my case…I can call him."
"I said I'll handle it," he said, a sense if irritability creeping into his voice.
"Look, I've talked with him before. He's just going to have to find another suspect. I'll…"
"I said I'll handle it!" he finally yelled.
It shocked her. Tears sprang forth.
His jaw twitched again and she knew she had really made him mad this time.
She stepped back.
"I'm sorry…I didn't mean anything by it. It's just that you seemed a bit concerned about the case earlier when you talked with the sheriff…that's the reason you called me before work and told me we had to go over it so I just assumed we…"
"Sara!"
"Stop yelling at me…I overtalk when you yell at me…I'm just trying to do my job…I'm just…"
She clamped her hand over her mouth and closed her eyes.
She turned to leave but he stopped her. "Are you feeling okay?"
"I'm fine," she managed to get out trying to control the nausea that threatened to erupt.
He stared at her and now saw what Greg had seen. She was pale, thin and frail. The dark circles were much worse and he felt like an ass for not monitoring her overtime.
I told her no special treatment…
I told her that…
That's bullshit…
I was only trying to hurt her…
I did that…
He watched as she hurried out the door and headed straight for the bathroom. He pretended to need something in the lab as he hung around the bathroom waiting for her to come out. She emerged several minutes later and he watched as she hurried to her desk to get back to work. He reviewed her caseload listing and swore.
How did I let this happen…
She's carrying more cases than anyone…
She pregnant and working more than any one on graveyard…
I'm such an ass…
Note from author:
Yes, Grissom but I know you're going to make up for it later….Please leave a review. I have enjoyed reading everyone. While I can't respond to them all, I do read them! Thanks! I am currently trying to finish the other story and tear myself away to finish the epilogue…I so procrastinate on those things…
Take care!
Penny