I Do Not Own CSI

Going in to work that evening, Gil was nervous. It had been three days since he brought Max home with him and he wasn't sure what the team thought about it. The fact that they hadn't had a great deal of success with his parents' case made him angry. Max deserved some justice, he was so young and he lost his parents and so far no one had much success finding any of Max's family.

Stepping in to the break room Gil took a deep breath and finally faced the reactions of the team.

"Hello everyone"

"Hey Griss," Nick, Warrick and Greg all said in unison.

"Hey Gil," Catherine said with a slight smile. She was the only female working on shift tonight as Terri had a night off.

"So before I had out assignments I want to know where we are on the Pearson case, any new information?"

"Actually, yes," Cath said.

"Wendy finally got the DNA figured out and it gave us a name, Keith James. He's a known drug dealer around Vegas"

"Why hasn't this Keith James been arrested and brought in?"

"He's being tracked down as we speak, NARCO has got an agent undercover and they're just waiting for him to show up and finally nail the guy. They finally have enough on him to really nail his to the wall. Not only can we pin the murder on him but we can also nail a lot of drug charges on him as well, dealing, trafficking, all of the above," Catherine said.

"That's good. I want to be there when they bring him in," Gil said with an irritated look on his face.

"You think that's such a good idea, Griss? I mean, aren't you a little to close to this case right now, seeing as Max is staying with you," Nick said a little cautiously.

"I know I'm close Nick, but I want to see the justice system come down on this guy. He murdered two people and left Max an orphan."

"Social services still hasn't found any family," Warrick said.

"They found the name of his aunt and are trying to track her down, with little success at the moment. Apparently she's in the Caribbean at the time at a pretty secluded place. There are not a lot of phones or internet. It's some sort of relaxation spa or something"

"Well at least they know she can afford to raise a child. I mean, if she can afford that," Greg shrugged as he spoke.

"How is Max, Gil? We were all pretty surprised when you called us asking us for references for becoming a foster parent. I don't think any of us thought you would bring him home to stay with you," Cath said.

"I know you were all surprised when I asked, but I couldn't place Max in to a group home. I just couldn't do it, after what had happened and what he had heard. Sara and I finally got out of him that he heard everything, a lot of talk about drugs but he also heard his mother's screams as she died, as well as his father's. How do you turn a kid over to social services when he won't let go of your hand? After I called Sara and told her the situation she was the one who told me to bring him home and we could deal with whatever came, which was a lot. I mean, he's almost six, he sort of understands the concept of death and I explained it to him as best I could but he's regressing a little bit and he's had nightmares every night. How would he survive at group homes in that
condition?"

"He wouldn't, he'd close up and be scared of everyone," Greg said shaking his head as Gil nodded.

"That's why I brought him home with me, Sara and I have both dealt with PTSD and the things that go along with it. He seems to be ok when he's playing or being kept occupied but as soon as he's by himself he's a scared little boy afraid of everything. He's going to need a lot of counselling and soon so he can mentally deal with the situation or else it's
going to eat him alive," Gil said quietly.

"You did a good thing, Grissom. I don't think I could have done it. But that's mostly just because I have no idea how I would deal with the situation, but you can and you are. I was happy to write that recommendation form for becoming a foster parent for you," Warrick said, looking Grissom in the eye.

"Me too, Griss. If anyone of us here can deal with a situation like that it's you and Sara. Sara knows every sign to look for and you're not so bad for looking out for others as well, especially when it comes to kids. I think, in my recommendation, I said you two were the best one too many times but if it helps this little boy it's all worth it," Greg said smiling.

"Is Max going to stay with you for good," Nick asked curiously.

"I don't know, Nick. It depends a lot on what comes of his aunt. But Sara and I have talked about it and we're not sure if we can handle another kid. With Max in the house we would have seven kids as soon as the baby is born. But on the other hand, we have also discussed whether we could put Max in foster care. A boy his age would most likely not be adopted; he's six and has a lot of issues to deal with. I don't think Sara or I could live with ourselves if we did that to him. So, if the worst case scenario comes along, Max
will most likely stay with us. Just because we're not sure if we can handle seven kids doesn't mean we can't try and deal with it," Gil said, getting sympathetic looks from his team.

"You're doing good Gil, just remember that," Cath said.

"But if you're going to be there when Keith James is brought in you are not going to be in on the interrogation. You can watch while one of us does it," she said, getting a look from Grissom.

"Sorry Gil, but you're too close and you know that. We all want this guy behind bars and we can't have anyone or anything compromise the case."

"I would never do that."

"I know that, Gil, but you know what the defense attorney would do with you leading the interrogation because Max is staying with you," Cath said, waiting for Gil's irritation to come out. But instead was surprised by his response.

"You're probably right, I want this guy behind bars and if it takes me just watching then so be it, but I will be watching."

"You and the rest of us, Griss," Nick said.

"Yeah, I think all of us here want to see this guy pay for what he did. So you can expect some company when Cath leads the interrogation," Warrick added.

"Good, ok I think it's time for assignments. Warrick, you and Nick get a DB at the Monaco. Greg, you and I have an arson out in Summerlin. Cath, I want you to call us when Brass brings Keith James in. I want to see him pay," Grissom said as he motioned for Greg to follow him.

"Mr. James," Catherine said, sitting down across from him. Brass was at her side and James' lawyer was sitting across from him. Gil and most of the team were all outside watching and waiting to see Keith James pay for the murder of two people and making an
orphan out of Max.

"Do you know why you're here" Catherine asked, starting the interrogation.

"Apparently the cops found drugs on me. I had no idea there were drugs on me. They must have been planted," he said smiling.

"Well, drug possession is one of the charges, but you do realize we found your DNA and
fingerprints at the scene of a homicide four days ago."

"I have no idea what you're talking about. I'm being framed, the same people who planted the drugs on me must have planted that evidence as well," he replied, sitting back in his chair looking smug.

"I don't think so, Mr. James," Brass said.

"We have enough against you right now to nail you with dealing and trafficking an illegal substance, which would be heroin and cocaine. That's twenty years easy in the big house," Brass said smiling just as cocky as Keith was smiling at him.

"You have no proof of that!"

"Oh but we do, did you not know NARCO has been investigating and had an undercover cop in your little gang" Brass said, causing the man to gulp.

"Not so cocky now are we?"

"Who was it," James asked angrily.

"You don't get to know that until your trial date. We still have more people to fish out and charge with drugs, but that's another story. What I want to know is why your fingerprints and DNA were found at the Pearson house where they were found dead," Brass said.

"The Pearson's were friends of mine, of course my fingerprints and DNA are going to be at their house."

"Yes, but you see you're DNA was found on the bodies of Mr. and Mrs. Pearson, and your fingerprints were found on a knife that was found behind the sink covered in blood."

"I have no idea how that happened," he said, shaking his head.

"I think I have an idea, would you like to hear my theory, Mr. James," Catherine asked.

"I think you went to the Pearson residence for payback. They left you as clients, wanted to clean up, straight and narrow, be better people for their son. And when they left you as clients they left you with an empty pocket. The Pearsons' were one of you're biggest customers, so you figured that if they were going to leave you that they should leave this world, too. You went to their house that night, with an accomplice that has already confessed that you were there, in a costume that made you look like the clown from the
movie 'It', and killed and dismembered Mr. and Mrs. Pearson."

"That's a nice story lady but that's what it is, a story."

"I don't think so. You do realize that when you went there that night you left not only your accomplice as a witness but a small child who saw his mother being bludgeoned to death," Catherine fibbed the last part about Max seeing what happened, hoping he would say something.

"What, there was no one else there. I would have known if someone else was there," He said, not realizing what he said.

"So you were there, you admit it" Jim said leaning in close.

"What?"

"You just said you were there," Catherine said.

"Ok, maybe I was but you can't prove that I was the one who killed them!"

"I think we can, and with that little boy's help, when he identifies you as the person who killed his mother, you will be going away for a long time."

"What kid, there was no kid!"

"There was, his name is Max Pearson and he saw the whole thing. He was hidden from view under the kitchen sink, but was able to see enough from the cracks in the cupboard. So, now Mr. James, do you care to tell us what happened?"

"Is there a deal to be made," his lawyer asked.

"No, we have our evidence but maybe if he confesses it may make the DA go a little easier on him," Brass said, looking at Mr. James in the eye.

Hearing a knock on the door, Brass stepped aside.

"Hey Brass, Catherine," Nick said, coming in holding a bag that looked like it could contain clothes.

"Hey Nick, what do you have for us," Cath asked

"Well, when we got the warrant to get into Mr. James' home, I found this." Nick said pulling out brightly coloured clothes and a wig to go along with it. Making whoever wore that costume look like a clown, just like Max had said.

"This was all wedged into a drawer in his dresser, and how much money do you want to bet that the blood on this matches the Pearsons', Mr. James," Nick said shaking his head.

"Well Mr. James, I think this is the final nail in your coffin, you better start talking," Brass said as Keith James grew angry, knowing that he had finally been caught.

"You guys did great work," Gil said, sitting down at the break room table where the whole gang was sitting.

"It was a team effort. When we all work together on a case, it's always a slam dunk," Warrick said.

"You guys did most of the work. I'm going to credit you guys with the work on this," Gil said.

"Griss, you did your part, too. It may not have been doing actual searching, but you did the hard part. You got as much information out of Max as you could. I know when he said the assailants looked like clowns we were a little skeptical. But as soon as we found the costumes, well, we knew what Max had seen," Nick said, sitting down from his perch by the counter.

"That poor kid. I don't like clowns either but that's because of a movie not because of a traumatic experience. Every time Max sees a clown he's going to flashback to that night his parents died. It's just not right," Greg said, shaking his head.

"No it's not right, but when is murder ever right? Unless you're defending yourself or someone you love, murder is never an answer," Gil replied.

"And we'd have no jobs to keep us employed," Catherine added.

"But look at where the world would be. The only reason a person would die is because of old age, accident, or sickness. We would be in a place where there's no violence, and we wouldn't be so scared about letting our kids run in the park," Nick said, Gil nodding along.

"If only. Look guys shifts just about over, why don't you all go home. I'll stick around for the last half hour, I have some paperwork to finish up anyways"

"You sure, Grissom," Warrick asked.

"I am"

"Nice! See you guys later. I'm going to catch a few winks and then I have a date," Warrick said smiling.

"Nice 'Rick, what's her name," Greg asked as the guys all left, leaving Cath and Grissom sitting down at the table.

"Are you sure you're ok," Catherine asked.

"I'm a lot better then I was before. We finally got some justice out of this crime and that's what matters," Gil said standing up.

"Want some help with your paperwork? Lindsay's over at your house this morning helping Sara with the kids so I have some time to kill before she comes home," Catherine asked.

"I would love the help! Conrad thought it was funny to dump another load of paperwork on my desk last night."

"Jesus, I bet he gets off doing this," Catherine said, looking at the mound on his desk.

"Too bad Sara isn't still around; making sure you got your paperwork done in exchange for sexual favours!"

"Those were the days. As much as I love my life now, I miss those times. They were fun!"

"Not getting at much as you used to," Catherine snickered out.

"With five kids to run after it's slowed us down a bit, but we still manage a couple times a week," Gil said shrugging like it was no big deal.

"Wait a minute, even with everything that's going on in your life, kids, foster kids, work, everything, you still manage twice a week!"

"Cath, sex between Sara and me has always been special. One thing we promised each other when we got married was that we would never let our sex life diminish. We were not going to become one of those couples who only had sex one or twice a month just because they had to. And you know us, we never back out on our promises," Gil said with a smile.

"Well I think I'm jealous! Even when Eddie and I were together we never had that much sex once Lindsay was born. I'm still jealous now because you're getting more then me! Really? Twice a week? Even when Sara's seven months pregnant?"

"Yes, Catherine, even when Sara is seven months pregnant. Sex right now is actually easier for her with this one because she's only carrying one baby. You have to remember that when Sara was seven months pregnant with the triplets, or even the twins, she was a lot bigger then she is now, so she's not finding it as uncomfortable as she did in the past," Gil said, smiling as he signed another report.

"Well more power to ya! Have as much sex as you possibly can! That's one of the best parts about being married, unlimited sex," Catherine replied as she closed another folder

Feeling his phone vibrate, Gil groaned,

"Please don't be a case" he said as he answered

"Grissom"

"Mr. Grissom, this is Tracy Hues from social services."

"Hi Tracy, I hope you're calling with good news."

"I am, we finally managed to get in contact with Max's aunt at the resort. Her name is Jamie Jackson and she's on her way home now."

"Did you tell her what happened to her sister and brother in law?"

"We did and she said she had tried to get them clean and sober many times and was surprised that they finally did although she said she wasn't shocked at what happened. Saddened, yes, but she said she was expecting a call like this for a long time."

"Is she willing to take Max into her home? He should be with family."

"She is. She said she would also like to meet you and Sara as well. She knows that Max is going to need a lot of counseling and help in the next years to come and she's prepared to take on the responsibility."

"Do you mind if I ask what she does for a living? Is she financially stable?"

"She is. She lives in a pretty swanky apartment, one that costs an arm and a leg to live in. She is also a real estate agent so you can guess what kind of money she makes. She works for one of the best real estate agencies in Vegas, Sells homes to all the high rollers and very rich people who come into town."

"Good, I'm glad you found someone that can take him, not that Sara and I wouldn't. But we were afraid that he would have no family to go to. This is good."

"I thought you would agree. Anyway, she should be in town sometime tomorrow night. She said she could come over to get him after her flight lands."

"What time does her flight land?"

"9:30"

"Why doesn't she come over in the morning, by the time she gets out of McCarran it's going to be close to10:30 and then she still has to drive another half hour to my house.
It may be easier for her to get him in the morning when he's awake and can understand what's happening instead of having to wake him up at night."

"I was hoping you would say that. I said the same thing to her as well but she didn't want to put you out any longer. I will call her and tell her the change of plans. You can expect to see us in a couple days, Mr. Grissom."

"Thanks, Tracy," Gil said, hanging up.

"So, they found his aunt?"

"They did. She should be here tomorrow night," Gil said, grabbing his jacket, getting ready to go.

"You don't sound too upbeat about this. This is a good thing, Gil?"

"I know, Cath, and I want the best for Max but I will say this I will miss him. He's a pretty bright kid with a lot of potential. It's just going to be sad to see him go is all."

"You can still keep in touch with him. I'm sure he would like that," Catherine said as they left the lab.

"I think Sara and I would like that, too," Gil replied, hopping into
his car.

"See you tomorrow, Cath."

"Bye. Gil" Cath said with a friendly smile, waving as she left.

Sorry readers, Max will not be staying with Gris and Sara. Originally that was my plan, to keep him with them but after thinking about for more then a day I decided against it. Although we haven't seen the last of Max either, he will be in later chapters.

After all the sad kind of drama with Max and the murder I thought it was time to have a little fun conversation pulled in by Cath concerning non other then sex, lol

Someone once told me that even with the life they had, and believe me it was a very busy life that her and her husband still managed to make love a couple times a week, they just had to work at it and make time, even if it cuts out a little on sleep.

I could see Sara and Gil doing the same thing, finding and making the time to focus on one another.

Anyways stay tuned and keep reading, there's more fun to come!

Thanks for the reviews and don't forget to leave one after reading

Katie