Chapter Nine: Round One

The balance of the day was quite productive for Sara. First, her medical doctor came by with extremely upbeat news on all fronts. Her electrolytes and kidney function had returned to normal. Her vital signs were perfect, and there were no ill effects on her exam related to the concussion. They would be discontinuing the IV's, the bladder tube, and liberalizing her diet, but best of all, she was ordered to get up and move.

The only loose end was the arm fracture. Later in the day an orthopedic surgeon came by to explain what needed to be done there. She would need an incision on both sides of her arm to line up each bone and put a plate and screws in the fractures to hold the bones in place. The surgery was planned for first thing in the morning, and she could leave once she recovered from the anesthesia.

It was all good.

Later that evening, Brass and Catherine showed up with an order of the couple's favorite Chinese takeout. That was a lively visit; to say the least.

"Sara," Catherine belted out upon entering the room, "Thank God you are still with us after everything you went through!"

Sara nodded in understanding, "Thank you, Catherine, and I appreciate all everyone did on my behalf."

"Not just your behalf," she gestured at Grissom, "his, too. I mean this one was some messed up with you in harm's way," she couldn't contain a snicker.

Grissom flashed an exaggerated mock expression of exasperation.

"So, I guess the fishing on the company pier has been nothing but keepers lately!" Catherine continued needling.

"Ok, Catherine, we get it," Grissom wearily added.

Brass shrugged, "Well, Gil, there's more talk about you and Sara in the lab than about 'Dancing with the Stars' and 'American Idol' combined."

Sara gasped and Grissom rolled his eyes; while Brass and Catherine laughed heartily.

"Seriously you two," Catherine lowered her tone, "I don't know what information Ecklie has, but we are not giving him a damn thing."

Grissom nodded in appreciation, "Thank you for that."

"Catherine," Sara spoke up, "You did us an incredible favor bringing up our things. I can't thank you enough."

Catherine smiled, "Sara, I was happy to do it, but don't think for a second I wasn't shocked at how much of you was at his place."

It was Sara's turn to nod, "It was the way it had to be," she grimaced, "I hope you understand; I mean, I would have much preferred sharing it with you."

At that point, Catherine looked to Grissom, her expression demanding an explanation. He could only shake his head, "I felt it was best to keep it out of the lab, and you are the lab."

Brass knew it was time to change the subject, "So, Sara, besides this Chinese food; do you have any other cravings?"

Sara grinned broadly, "The grape leaf wrap things at Byblos, I never stop craving those."

"They make a vegetarian version and a meat version; you need to get both," Grissom added with a wink.

The conversation bounced around food, remote cases, and Vegas characters. All safe subjects, and all fun topics.

Catherine and Brass exchanged tight hugs and meaningful good byes with the couple. Sara and Grissom were left alone, and were content to be that way. The visits had been uplifting, and now they were ready to settle in together until Sara's surgery in the morning.

Catherine went straight from the hospital to the lab to start up the graveyard shift. It was comforting to see the familiar faces in Nick, Warrick, and Greg, but as Grissom predicted, Ecklie was there as well.

Before Catherine could hand out the assignments, he asked to meet with Nick and Warrick before shift and Catherine and Greg after shift. They all looked at each other and complied.

Nick and Warrick followed Ecklie down the hall to his office; where he directed Warrick to sit outside and motioned Nick to enter. They exchanged a glance and then were separated.

Nick sat opposite Ecklie and drew a nervous deep breathe. "So," Ecklie started, "I understand that Grissom and Sidle have a romantic relationship. Since you worked closely with them, I'm wondering what you may have observed about that."

Nick guffawed, "I never observed anything."

Ecklie shook his head, "I'm having a hard time with that, I've learned they've been very involved romantically, and you work shoulder to shoulder for years and don't see it?"

"I never even got a whiff of their involvement until after Sara's kidnapping. Then it was a free for all of gossip. I don't know what to believe."

Ecklie shifted in his chair, obviously upset, "Let me remind you, this is an official inquiry; did you ever observe any preferential treatment for Sidle in Supervisor Grissom's assignments?"

Nick laughed, "No, she got her share of dumpster dives and decomps," more giggling, "trust me," he smiled.

"Grissom evaluated Sidle as a competent CSI; do you have an issue with that?"

"She is an exceptional CSI to partner with," and Nick stood up to leave.

"Stokes," Ecklie sternly voiced, "We're not finished yet; will you please sit back down."

Nick complied.

"Have you spoken with Grissom since Sara's rescue?"

"Yes."

"What was the circumstance?"

"I visited Sara in the hospital at the same time he did."

"Did you think that meant something? I mean he's in her hospital room?"

"Warrick was in her hospital room too, do you think they're romantically involved as well?"

Ecklie frowned. "Has Grissom ever confided in you about his feelings for Sara?" rubbing his forehead.

"Yes," Ecklie looked up in anticipation, "He clearly cares for her, but I have no knowledge of the nature of the relationship; professional, friends, or romantic, it's anybody's guess."

"So let me see if I understand this; you know he cares for her, but you don't know how he expresses it?" He laughed in jest, "How is that?"

Nick was bristling with Ecklie's callousness, but was smart enough to know he didn't want to show that it was getting to him. Keep your cool, Nicky, c'mon, keep your cool!

"You know what? I think he cares for me, too, and I completely understand the nature of our relationship." Nick shrugged one shoulder, grinned sideways, and shook his head with all his Texas charm, "It's none of my damn business what Sara and Grissom do outside the lab as long as they are holding their own once we are all on the clock."

When he stood up this time, Ecklie didn't try to stop him, "Neither Sara or Grissom have shared with me any details of their relationship, and that is the truth." His expression turned serious and he nodded for extra emphasis as he exited the office, walking straight past a dumbfounded Warrick.

Warrick knew Nick well enough to know when he's riled up, and clearly, Ecklie had him riled up.

"Warrick, will you take a seat, please," Ecklie calmly requested, without even looking up from the file in front of him.

Warrick entered the room and sat in the seat Nick just vacated. Ecklie began by asking the same questions verbatim, and getting pretty much the same responses in return. Warrick was unfazed as he recounted Grissom's fairness in assignments and Sara's capable skills.

He acknowledged seeing Sara in the hospital with both Nick and Grissom present, but stated the conversation centered on the search for Sara and her experiences in the desert. Grissom's adamant assertion to them to tell the truth made sure both of them would give consistent accounts.

Ecklie slammed the file shut in obvious frustration at not getting the incriminating evidence he clearly sought. At that, Warrick rose calmly from his chair and placed both hands on Ecklie's desk before speaking.

"Conrad," he started, quite soft spoken, "Just so you know; I'm a 'no harm, no foul' kinda guy. I understand the reason behind the lab policies. I do. We want to keep out unwanted bias and eliminate distractions while we pursue our jobs. But, really now," he cocked his head for emphasis, "If two people don't do either of those things at work," he raised his voice, "EVER!!" took a deep breath and continued, "then does it really matter what the Hell they do outside the lab?"

He turned to walk out, "It sure doesn't to me, and it shouldn't to you either."

Ecklie was without words. The picture he was getting was of a romantic relationship; maybe they knew, maybe they didn't, but they didn't care. It didn't affect the job they carried out. Admittedly, he found no evidence in the assignments he reviewed or their success in closing cases. He sighed and thought on the true importance of the whole matter.

He had been so incensed by the secret nature of this supervisor in an intimate relationship with a subordinate. The apparent duration of the relationship, and seriousness of it, was even more alarming. Add to that, Ecklie's perceived impression of Grissom's incompetent management skills, and you get a perfect storm of career suicide. You have potential sexual harassment six ways from Sunday.

Ecklie wasn't completely out of touch. He got the message the graveyard team was strongly voicing. Whether Sara and Grissom had a relationship, or NOT, whether they all knew or NOT, it did not adversely affect anything; therefore, it shouldn't matter. The message was sinking in. He wasn't about to let them completely off the hook, but he was definitely softening.

He would have softened considerably more if Grissom would have answered just one of his calls….

tbc….