Court had taken much longer than Grissom anticipated. The attorney for the defense was very young and he made countless perfunctory objections during Warrick's testimony. So by the time he took the stand, the attorney's tactics backfired. The judge was so fed up with all the endless delays and she overruled all his objections. The jury deliberated less than an hour and returned a guilty verdict on all counts of rape and sexual assault. Grissom had planned on taking Warrick for lunch to celebrate the conviction but had to ask for a rain check. He wanted to get back to the lab and talk to Catherine before his meeting with the Sheriff and Ecklie. Instead, he got stuck in a huge traffic jam on the way back to the lab and arrived with only minutes to spare before the meeting was to start.

"Hey, Gil! How was court?"

"Long! I have a meeting with the Sheriff and Ecklie now but I needed to run something quickly by you first."

"What about the case, Gil?"

"We got convictions across the board. Samuels is going away for 30 to 40 years."

Catherine pumped her arm in celebration. "YES! So what did you want to see me about?"

"Actually, I have a favor to ask."

"I am not doing your case review again, Grissom, so save your breath."

"No, it's not that! In fact, if you'll do this for me.......I'll do your next case review."

"Must be some favor. Who do I have to kill?"

"Very funny, Catherine! It's nothing like that. I am supposed to go to Canada for a conference at the end of this month. Sara hasn't been feeling well and I don't want to be that far away from her just now. I was hoping I could say that you offered to take my place."

"I'd like to help but I know nothing about bugs. That's your thing."

"The conference is about blood and DNA evidence. The presentation is all done. All you have to do is read the information that goes with a video presentation. After all Catherine, you are our resident blood spatter expert."

"Hold the whipped cream, Gil. I'm on a diet. Let me think. Lindsey's school vacation is next week. She wants me to take her to Reno to go skiing. We leave on Saturday,which is February 17th and should be back by Wednesday or Thursday at the latest, if we don't start fighting before that. Yeah, I think it's doable."

"It's for nine days, Friday February 23rd to Saturday March 3rd. You won't get back until very late the following Saturday or early Sunday. Will Lindsey be OK with your Mother?

"If she is at school during the week, it should be OK. Besides, after spending that much time together, I think we'll need some time apart. Sure Gil, I'll do it! Sounds like fun!"

"Thanks, Cath! I've got to go clear it with the Sheriff now. If he agrees, I'll drop off the lecture materials tomorrow so you can review it. We can go over the information and any questions you might have. Is that OK?"

"I get to travel a week on Ecklie's dime and get out of my next case review. Oh yeah, life is good! Good luck, hope the Sheriff says yes. See you later."

Grissom walked to the meeting feeling more confident, one obstacle down and one to go.

"Nice of you to join us, Grissom! This meeting was for 3PM."

Grissom ignored Ecklie and spoke directly to the Sheriff. "Sorry but I just got in from court. We got a conviction on the Samuels case. Guilty on all counts, 30 to 40 years."

"Nice work, Grissom!"

"Thank you, Sheriff but it was a team effort."

"Yes and you are the team leader, it all flows down from the top. Conrad and I were just discussing future plans to create a new position here at the lab, a permanent trainer for new CSI agents. Gil you have the teaching background, the forensic knowledge and the field experience that makes you the ideal candidate."

Never missing an opportunity to highlight Grissom's weaknesses, Ecklie chimed in. "Also you are a good twenty years older than most of the other CSI agents. You refuse to carry a gun, even though you qualify to carry one every year. That alone has endangered members of your team in the past. Frankly, with your lack of administrative skills, hearing problems and your age, it would be safer for everyone if you only teach in the future."

Grissom's eyes bored into Ecklie. "To my knowledge there are no age restrictions for CSI. If you'll remember Conrad, I gave you my doctor's certification that my hearing meets the department's standards. As to carrying a gun, it is not mandatory. At least one person on any team I send out is armed and I never claimed to be a good paper pusher." He turned back to the Sheriff. "However, I am interested in learning more about the new trainer position, once more guidelines are in place. I have several questions. The most important is exactly how much input would I have on the proposed training program and schedule?"

"None! That would be strictly under my control." Ecklie bristled.

"Actually Conrad, that has not been decided. It makes sense that if Grissom will be teaching the material, he should have some input on what is being taught. Let me kick this around some more. This is just in the planning stages and I'll get back to you, Gil."

The Sheriff got up to go. "Sheriff, I have one other matter, if you have a moment?"

"Sure, Gil! Problem?"

"No not a problem, an opportunity! I am scheduled to attend the Northwest Territories Forensic Symposium, later this month. I think it would be good for the lab and great experience for Catherine to go in my place. She is our resident expert on blood spatter."

"This wouldn't have anything to do with the problems your wife is having with her pregnancy? We have bent over backwards to accommodate Sara. Now you are asking for us to make special arrangements for you too? This is getting ridiculous!" Ecklie feigned exasperation.

"This has nothing to do with Sara. I want to make the change for the reasons I outlined. Catherine can do it! She has volunteered to go and it would good experience for her to represent this lab to the international science community. Sheriff, as Conrad points out, none of us is getting any younger. I won't always be here to make every presentation."

The Sheriff tried to hide his smile when he realized Ecklie had fallen into Grissom's trap.

"I don't have a problem with that, Gil. As long as Willows can handle the presentations and the question and answer sessions that follow."

"Thank you, Sheriff. I have already asked Catherine to review the presentation. We will cover any information that might come up in the Q & A. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some paperwork I need to catch up on. I've been working almost exclusively to prepare the Samuels trial for the last three weeks."

"Send my thanks to your team for a job well done."

"I will."

Grissom backed out of the office amused to see Ecklie's anger about to boil over. With a smile, he turned and walked quickly down the hall to his office. Judy was sorting mail as she walked down the hall, turning the corner she walked directly into Grissom. She barely stifled a scream as she realized who she had collided with. His arms reached out automatically to steady Judy but the mail and folders she was carrying went flying in several different directions.

"Judy, I'm so sorry! Are you OK? I'll get those." He reached down to retrieve all the folders and mail she dropped. She stammered a thank you and extended her hand to get all the information back but trying not to get too close. Grissom handed her only the folders. "Let me take care of these for you, Judy. Are you sure you're OK?" When she nodded Grissom patted her cheek and walked away sorting the outgoing and interoffice mail.

Judy raised a hand to the cheek he patted. In the past she would have run screaming to the ladies room to scrub up. Now she was shocked to realize she was blushing. He seemed so different now.....and when he smiled. Suddenly she realized what she was doing, or not doing. Judy looked around to verify no one saw her blushing and walked quickly back to her cubicle.

Once the mail was disposed of, Grissom walked past the lab and was pleased to see Sara at her usual station. His hand was on the door to enter the lab when Ecklie called out.

"Grissom! I would appreciate a little more notice when you reschedule my personnel for your convenience."

"What did I do this time to piss you off, Ecklie? I got the conviction on Samuels. I am training Archie and the new girl Robyn. All my reports and evaluations are up to date."

"Catherine is on vacation next week, then will be in Canada for you for ten days after that."

"And your point is?"

"I'm not sure I'm comfortable with Nick as acting supervisor for three weeks."

"Conrad didn't you just recommend Nick to take my place if the trainer position goes through? Both Nick and Warrick are more than ready to be supervisors."

"Stokes maybe but Brown never. Not while I'm in charge. He got Holly Gribbs shot and he is a compulsive gambler."

"That is ancient history, Ecklie. That one mistake he made was over five years ago. I don't think the Sheriff would be pleased if we are accused of discrimination in our promotions."

"This has nothing to do with his being black. He is just not ready."

"In your opinion! Well, we'll see, Ecklie. I have requested that Warrick take over for me when I take my family leave. I am taking six weeks off when Sara has our baby. You can make all the recommendations you want about Warrick but the Sheriff has the final say."

"Yes he does and you'd do well to remember that."

As Ecklie walked away Grissom realized his earlier good mood was gone. All he wanted to do right now was punch something or someone.

"Hey! What was that all about?" Sara had watched the conversation from inside the lab. She couldn't hear what was said but she knew that her husband was angry.

"It's Ecklie again or perhaps I should say still. I swear Sara, if you looked up the definition of asshole in the dictionary, you'd see his picture."

"Yes, you would. What I don't understand is why you let him get to you. He is a joke. The only way he got where he is now is by kissing a lot of asses.......democrat and republican. Try to ignore him, Gil. He is not worth getting a headache over."

"Yeah, I know!" Grissom could actually feel his pulse rate drop. "Thank you, honey. How are you doing?"

"Fine, we are both fine. I heard you got Samuels in court today."

Letting go of his anger, Grissom smiled at his wife. "Yes, we did!"

"You are the best! Now go crash on the couch in your office, don't bother driving back to the apartment. See if you can sneak a nap or tonight will be one very long night." Grissom looked up and down the hall made sure no one was looking and quickly kissed Sara. "Dr. Grissom, I am so shocked! You know Ecklie's rules. No public displays of affection."

"You gonna rat me out the big cheese?"

"Nah but I will want sexual favors later."

"Deal!"

With another quick glance down the hallways, he kissed Sara again and walked away. His good mood restored, Grissom finally reached his office. As tired as he was, he could not walk past the assignment board without checking to see if there were calls waiting to be assigned. He was surprised but pleased to see that the board was clear. Grissom unlocked and entered his office. After he dropped his briefcase and laptop computer on the desk, he relocked the door, fed his bugs, checked his online calendar quickly and then scanned the mail on his desk. He read and signed several reports until he started to yawn. A short time later Grissom finally settled on the couch and within minutes was asleep. The low hum of activity in the lab, like white noise, not only did not disturb him, it lulled him into sleep.

Much later, Judy was finally finished for the day. As she walked to get her coat, she saw a young man with a envelop wandering the halls. "Can I help you?"

"I have a delivery for a Dr. Grissom. Can you point me in the right direction?"

"I sign for all packages. You aren't supposed to be in here at all, this is a secure area." She buzzed him into the main reception area and reached for his envelope.

"No one said anything to me." He did not allow Judy to see or even touch the envelope. "Sorry Miss, this is marked personal and confidential. I will need him to sign for it."

Unaware that Grissom was asleep on the couch in his office. She assumed he had gone home after his meeting with the Sheriff. Judy knew he usually arrived early for his night shift. "He is not available just now but he will be in later tonight."

"Then I'll come back later. Thank you, Miss."

"But?" As suddenly as he was there, the young man was gone. Judy shrugged her shoulders and promptly forgot about the tall, blond man and his envelope.

Later that night, Mike and John arrived at the lab to drop off evidence from an earlier crime scene. John handed the collection bags he was holding to Mike. "I'll let you take them to the lab, so you can check on Sara."

"Hey, I am worried about her, so sue me! You try going to lunch and find someone you.....who is a friend passed out on the break room floor. That scared the hell out of me!"

"I don't know who was more upset that day, you or Grissom. Try to remember, she is his wife and that's his baby." John often teased Mike about his crush on Sara but sometimes like now, the joke had more truth than tease.

"Yah, Yah! I still don't understand why HE is allowing her to still be working........"

"I don't think HE has any say in the matter. This is Sara we are talking about. You tell her she can't do something and......"

"She'll do it or at least try to. I know, I know. I wish she'd hurry up and have that baby."

John was going to remind him that there was still about three months to go but changed his mind.

Mike gestured with his head to a coffee shop across the street from the Crime Lab. "That guy is back again. That's like the third or fourth time I've seen him sitting there this week. The man must love the coffee over there, otherwise that front window is the perfect spot to watch everyone come in and go out of this building."

"Must be your FBI training, Mike. Always assuming everyone is up to something. Come on let's go."

"Maybe we should go check him out. Want some coffee?"

"Why should I pay for coffee over there, when I get it for free in here?"

Mike said nothing but pouted until John laughed and gave in. "OK but let's drop that stuff off first. You want another lecture on the chain of custody?"

By the time they returned to the lab entrance, the coffee shop window was empty. "See, no one is watching us. I told you, the guy probably works around here and was on his coffee break."

"Every time I've seen him it was a different time of day. He was there yesterday when I got in at 3. I also saw him the other day around 6:30 when I went out to get my lunch at the deli and he was there earlier in the week around midnight when I was leaving. What time is it now?"

"About 7:15."

"Who gets four coffee breaks a day? I'm going to go over and talk to the manager. See if he remembers the tall, skinny, blond kid always sitting at the window. For all I know that could have been Ian Fitzgerald."

"You think he is stalking you? Paranoid much? Sorry my man, you are on your own. I want my lunch. Are you coming or not, Mike?"

"Yeah, OK! I am just worried for Sara. Think I should say something to Grissom?"

"Hell, no! He's worried enough about her and being away at that conference later this month. At least the Samuels Case is finally closed. I wonder who he will take with him to Canada?"

"If he takes anyone, it will probably be Catherine. She is the lab's blood spatter guru."

"I would love the chance to go with him. I've never seen his racing beetles. They say he has five or six Madagascar Hissing Beetles, man those thing can almost fly."

"You know, I think you've been hanging around him way too much. You're getting as weird as he is about bugs."

"I'll take that as a compliment. Hey! I'm toying with the idea of getting my masters in entomology."

"Another Grissom? God help us all! Just keep your bugs out of my lunch, let's go." As they returned from lunch, Mike and John saw Grissom as he opened his office door. "Hey Grissom, you're in early. Something up? Need a hand?"

"I just took Sara home. She fell asleep at her lab station again. I came in early to help out. The Samuels case put almost everything else on the back burner."

"Trying to get caught up before you leave for Canada? Just about two weeks, right?"

"You can stop trying to butter me up guys. Catherine is going this time not me. So if you want to go with her, you better start charming her now. She is on vacation next week." With a grin he watched the two young men as they quickly retreated in search of their supervisor. He'd call Catherine later, let her know she now had two slaves for the next week.