Disclaimer- I do not own any part of CSI. This chapter is the whole reason they went to Florida in the first place, so hope it came out alright!

Chapter 10 – First of all, I'd like to thank…

"We would like to thank the head of the RAFFSAs for this award and all of the staff of the Miami Dade police department. Thank you." Sara and the rest of the team clapped enthusiastically as Horatio, Calleigh and Eric walked off the stage with a CSI from Texas who had handed them the award.

"Excuse me." Sara stood up and shuffled along the aisle and disappeared.

"It's great they won huh?" Warrick remarked to Grissom.

"Yeah, it's a shame we didn't win ours though." He had scowled when he saw Mike approach the stage, a big cheesy grin on his face but not before noticing Sara had also stiffened at the sight of him.

"And now ladies and gentlemen, its time for the final award of the evening. To present this award is Sara Sidle, a CSI from Las Vegas." Grissom sat in bewilderment as everyone around him clapped and Sara appeared on the stage, a shimmering vision in peach. It took Grissom a while to stop staring at her and concentrate on the words she was saying.

"Thank you. I have been asked by the academy to say a few words, although for anyone who knows me a few of my words aren't as few as everyone else's." The audience gave a small chuckle.

"His work ethic is infallible and his determination is inspired. The work he has done has made a large impact on the scientific community and he has made an impact on everyone he's ever worked with. When I was starting out as a CSI, he was the one who gave me the break that has led me to work with him for six years now and the reason I am here in front of you tonight. I am privileged and proud to be awarding this year's life time achievement award to Gil Grissom." Grissom sat stuck to his seat, not believing what he had just heard.

"Griss, go up there!" Warrick laughed, patting him on the back. He got up and walked to the stage, coming out of his daze.

The male presenter for the awards shook his hand and the female presenter kissed him on the cheek. Sara panicked that he would get to her and freeze, standing still and awkward. He took the award from her and kissed her cheek lightly leaving her stunned.

"Well, I don't know what to say. Although I will have a word with my team about keeping secrets from me." Sara gave a small smile and the audience once again laughed.

"I'd like to thank the academy, my co-workers Sara, Nick, Greg and Warrick, and Catherine who couldn't be here. And all of the staff at the Las Vegas crime lab and PD. Without them or my team I wouldn't have this." He paused and looked down at the award, his name etched into it and glittering as the light hit it. He looked back up to face the crowd.

"There is one thing I would like to say. The LVPD has been criticized a lot recently." Both George and Mike sitting at opposite sides of the hall looked up and George's face turned the same colour as his hair. Mike continued to mutter to the woman beside him. Grissom's nostrils flared as he watched him.

"And I have had enough!" He exclaimed loudly, his voice becoming powerful and reverberating around the hall causing all eyes to look at him and the room to fall silent.

"I was disgusted to hear that the death of a CSI, or a police officer or even the attack on Nick one of my CSIs" at the mention of his name, Nick's cheeks flamed brightly and he averted his gaze downwards "has been considered a black mark against the name of the LVPD. We honour these people for their bravery. So this is dedicated to all of these people. And to Dominic Kretzker, an ordinary man who did an extraordinarily brave thing. And to the people who ever doubted us, maybe you'll think of these people as people next time and not publicity. Thank you."

The hall erupted with deafening applause and the audience rose to their feet. Sara bit her lip to stop the overwhelming urge to cry and to hug Grissom. George stood up with the crowd, applauding as hard as everybody else and nodding his head.

"I guess I was wrong Gil, they had the right man for that lab all along."

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I know that speech was pretty "Bruckheimer", but after him taking all the insults from Mike and George, I just figured that he could have his moment to show them, and Sara, what he really thought. Quite a short chapter, but a lot happens in the next one grins insanely -x-