Chapter 25:

Don't own recognizable characters.

JauntyChick:I'm glad you liked it. Oh it would be good to see another chapter of yours...hinthint. haha. nah you take you're time updating

Greg Sanders was frustrated, this case was just getting better and better. Brass hadn't tracked down Jason Manchester yet, and he wasn't allowed anywhere near Jason since they once knew each other. Jason had done his time and Greg owed him to find out who did this to his wife. Grissom allowed Greg on the case, but he knew something struck the young investigator about the case. It was why Grissom called him into his office. Grissom was still the ever-oblivious man who was married to his job, but since Sara Sidle's departure he was making attempts to pay more attention to the emotional stability of his co-workers. He'll admit though he wouldn't have asked to speak to Greg had not both Warrick and Hodges noticed that something was off about the young man.

Greg was at the doorway of Grissom's office shortly after Warrick had told him the boss wanted to see him. Greg hoped he hadn't done anything wrong. "You wanted to see me?"

Grissom nodded. "Greg, come on in, take a seat."

"What did you want to talk about?"

"Greg, are you positive you're alright to handle this case?"

"Of course."

"Then what is bothering you?"

Greg sighed. "It's Frankie, I'm worried about her."

"Oh?"

"Grissom, they all have the same haircut as her, she used to dye her hair in college a lot, and Frankie has a back tattoo complete with a collage of several different flowers. The ones found on the victims are identical to some of hers."

"Then what do you think he's trying to do?"

Greg shrugged. "No idea. But the newest victim Brooke Manchester, she was Frankie's roommate and that's how we met."

Grissom looked at the man across from him, obviously torn up with worry for his girlfriend. "Greg, are you sure you can work this case?"

"I have to, Grissom."

The older man nodded, understanding Greg's dilemma in wanting to protect the woman he loved. Greg's phone rang and he excused himself to answer. The acerbic voice on the other line was not exactly what he expected. "When the fuck were you going to tell me that Jason put a man in the hospital for you?"

"Frankie…"

"No Greg, I want the truth what the fuck happened?"

"Listen, we'll talk about this later, but can you bring Jason down to the station?"

"Why?"

"Because his wife is dead."

The other end of the phone was silent and Greg knew Frankie was in shock. He had no idea how Jason had found her or even told her about what almost happened years ago. Greg had no idea how he was supposed to tell her that at a party she was too drunk to realize her frat boy flavor of the week was attempting to take advantage of her. Greg and Jason both saw the look in the man's eyes, but Jason stopped Greg from the action he had wanted to take. Jason told him to get Frankie home and to stay there. Jason put that guy in the hospital, as punishment for trying to take advantage of Frankie. Jason knew Greg had a bright future ahead of him and didn't need any trouble with the law, so he took it upon himself to do what was best. It had landed him into a bad situation and now years later Greg was still trying to make amends.

"Sweetheart, are you still there?" Greg asked.

"Why? Greg, please find out who this guy is. We'll be there to see Brass as soon as I can get there."

Greg hung up and looked over at his boss. "I think this case is getting personal. The newest vic's husband was my roommate in college. He did time for putting a man in the hospital, and now he's showed up at Frankie's house.

"Do you think the man Mr. Manchester battered is this guy?" Grissom asked.

Greg shrugged, as the thought was beginning to cross his mind, "I barely knew him, but the sinister look in his eyes when he looked at Frankie was not normal. I'm going to check back on all evidence from all cases, and get them cross-examined to see if we can get any matches."