vii)

...How much I wanted you...

The conversation with Grissom hadn't gone entirely as Sofia anticipated. He looked upon her sceptically as she stood in his office, asking him to "do something" to get Sara reinstated in her job.

Gil Grissom sighed. "It's out of my hands."

"That's a cop out." Sofia sneered.

"Excuse me if I'm wrong, but aren't you the reason Sara got fired?" Grissom enquired.

"The reason Sara got fired is because Ecklie is a jerk." Sofia explained. "And you know it."

Grissom stared at her, perplexed.

"Sara and I had a disagreement, ok? There is no need to make a federal case out of it." Sofia continued.

Grissom nodded, motioning to the scar on her forehead "Some disagreement." He remarked.

"I am equally to blame." Sofia confessed.

"I don't doubt it. The two of you seem to delight in winding each other up. Which if I may say so, is highly unprofessional. Sara had plenty of warnings. She chose to ignore them. Ecklie is right, she is a loose canon. There is nothing I can do." His words aren't cruel exactly. Sofia senses the underlying frustration of a man who has tried so many times before to help his colleague, and finally admitted to him self that she was so hell bent on self destruction there was nothing he could do for her.

"Thought you were her friend. My mistake." Sofia said in a mildly accusing tone.

"I'm her boss." Grissom defended himself.

"She's good at her job."

"Exceptional." He agreed. "But her personal issues get in the way."

"We all have issues. It's killing her, being away from this place. It's what keeps her going. Gives her purpose." Sofia found herself saying more than she had planned.

"You've spoken to her?" Grissom sounded surprised. And slightly resentful. He knew he should have called by now, to check in and see how Sara was doing. He just didn't know what to say.

"Yes. She is miserable." Sofia admitted sadly.

"And that matters to you because... why?" Grissom wanted to know.

Sofia had no answer. It was the first time Grissom had known her to have no answer for him.

"I'm having a little trouble understanding this." He admitted. He took off his glasses, scrutinising the other woman closely. Was it possible, Sara and Sofia had some kind of personal relationship?

Hour later, Sofia smiled hopefully as she was summoned to Grissom's office. Despite his harsh words, she knew he wouldn't leave Sara hanging.

"I've cleared things up with Ecklie. He is prepared to give Sara one more chance. But this is her Final chance." Grissom stressed.

"Great, she'll be thrilled." Sofia beamed. "She won't let you down."

"Not so fast." Grissom cautioned. "There is one condition. It's not from Ecklie, it's from me."

"Ok."

" I don't know what is going on between you two. But any kind of...personal involvement..compromises the integrity of the lab."

"Do you have a problem with my work?" Sofia demanded to know. This was ridiculous. He couldn't tell her what to do with her private life. It had nothing to do with the lab.

"Put simply, this lab is not big enough for the two of you- whether it be fist fights in the corridors or..." he paused "Whatever else the case may be."

"You're firing me?" Sofia demanded angrily.

"You're right about Sara, she loves this job, she thrives on it. It's the place she belongs in the world. It's not your place, Sofia. You've been miserable since being reassigned to my team. It's time to pursue your own dreams, detective."

Sofia nodded, a determined smile creeping across her face. Grissom was right, she put her dreams on hold long enough. It was time she sought out her job as detective. She shook hands to seal the deal with Grissom.

"This conversation is just between you and me." Grissom advised. "Sara should never know we spoke."

"Agreed."

"One more thing." Grissom called out to Sofia as she was reaching for the door. He waited until she had turned around, looking him in the eyes "Be careful." he said finally, sincerely.

"I can take care of myself." Sofia informed him.

"I don't doubt that." Grissom clarified. "I mean, be careful, with Sara. She's not as strong as she makes out to be. I'd hate to see her get hurt." Suddenly embarrassed by his words, Grissom turned his attention back to the work on his desk. "That will be all." He dismissed Sofia.