Trials and Tribulations

by ILoveJorja

My entry into the CSIFO Fanfiction Challenge, "How Should It All End?" The challenge is to come up with our own ending to this amazing television series. I hope this does it justice. Actually I hope the real series finale is better.

14. Chapter 14

TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

The wedding party for the Grissoms picked up a jolt of energy after the ceremony. Everyone wanted to hug Sara, kiss her on the cheek, and express their surprise and joy at the proceedings. Everyone wanted to shake Gil's hand, thump him on the back, tease him for keeping a secret and wish both of them well. Catherine got a lot of teasing as well for being in on the surprise ceremony and for, apparently, being both maid of honor and best man. There was lots of laughter and the drinks flowed and stories told into the evening. Most of the partiers left when it was time for their shift. Betty Grissom kissed both her son and daughter-in-law and thanked them with tears in her eyes for helping make a dream come true to see her only son marry. Grissom carefully escorted his mother into her handicap-accessible van so she and her companion and ASL translator could return to the nursing home. Sara got Laura Sidle, after she had hugged everyone, a taxi back to her care center as well. Soon after that the party broke up. Gil and Sara celebrated their second wedding night in an energetically loving way.

So it was back to jarring reality when Sara, nursing a minor hangover, walked back into the courtroom and saw Basderic's smug creepy face.

(Interior, Courtroom.)

The judge had a laptop computer and kept his eyes on it instead of Sara or Basderic. All the evidence had been digitized.

"After careful review of the evidence and all of your statements under oath I am charging you with the following offenses."

There was total silence in the courtroom.

"Sara Sidle, you are charged with Felony Attempted Murder, Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Misdemeanor Aggravated Assault, Misdemeanor Simple Assault, Violation of a Protection from Abuse Order, and Breaking and Entering. We have located Detective Crawford and he has produced a warrant for you and CSI Nick Stokes, so you will not be charged for being in Ronald Basderic's house without permission and you will not be charged with Trespassing, nor Burglary, nor Entrapment."

Sara was pale with tension at the recitation of charges against her. Her lawyer leaned over and whispered something. She nodded but still kept her eyes on the judge and concentrated on every word he said.

"Ms. Sidle, how do you plead?"

Sara stood up and squared her shoulders. "Not guilty, Your Honor."

"Now we come to the secret recorded confession," the judge continued. "I have listened very carefully to that recording and reviewed legal precedents. Secret recording is legal and admissible as long as one party has consented to the recording. In this case, Sara Sidle consented to the recording. Therefore, the recording is admissible."

There was an audible sigh of relief.

"Ronald Basderic, you are charged with multiple counts of Category B Felony Burglary, Category B Home Invasion, Category B Felony Criminal Trespassing, Category C Felony Stalking, Felony Stalking by Electronic Mail, Felony Tampering with Electronic Mail, Tampering with Evidence, Tampering with Prescription Drugs, and Breaking and Entering into the home of Sara Sidle. All multiple counts."

"In addition you also attempted to take the life of Sara Sidle and without the intervention of law enforcement officials you would have done so. Therefore, you are charged with Felony Attempted Murder, Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Misdemeanor Aggravated Assault, and Simple Assault."

"Ronald Basderic, you are charged with First Degree Felony Murder of Taylor Wynard. You admitted on that recording to his murder and the evidence against you is damning. No matter what the other offenses you are charged with, that offense is subject to severe penalty, including the death penalty or life in prison."

Basderic glared at the judge.

"Ronald Basderic, how do you plead?"

"Not guilty."

"I now charge your lawyers to meet with you and determine a plea bargain to these offenses. Once an agreement is reached I will decide on the next steps."

He banged his gavel.

"Dismissed."

A/N: I realize the GSR reconciliation was abrupt but we have to assume, as we always did, that they did more talking offscreen than onscreen. And they do still love each other and want to be together. Once the misunderstanding was cleared up I can't see why they couldn't get back together.