I Do Not Own CSI
"Gil, why are people from the news here," Sara asked as he helped her out of the limo to see cameras rolling.
"Good press for the lab. Now that McKeen and Gedda are behind bars they all want to know who is going to become undersheriff and who is going to run the lab."
"But we already know that. Why do we need a formal announcement?"
"Beats me, but once after the awards are done the press has been ordered to leave, courtesy of the sheriff," Gil said as he and Sara lined up with the team; just the team and Brass, so photo mongers could get the shot and they could go inside.
"I need a drink," Jim said, heading for the bar.
"Right behind you, Jim. Ice tea, Sandy," Nick asked.
"Please," she replied as Nick pulled out her chair and all the women sat around the large table reserved for them.
"Warrick, man, why are you so fidgety tonight," Greg asked as he saw Warrick put his hands in his pockets again.
"No reason, just don't like all the news people around," he said. Greg bought it and placed his order.
"Relax Rick, you'll do fine," Jim said, patting him on his shoulder with a proud smirk.
Hearing the microphone being tapped, everyone looked up.
"Could I have everyone to their seats, please," The sheriff asked as the ceremony started.
"Red wine for you, my dear," Gil said, sitting next to her with drinks in hand.
"Thank you"
"Ladies and gentlemen, CSI's, members of the crime lab, police officers and people of the press, I would like to thank all of you for coming here tonight even tough I know there are a few people who would rather spend it somewhere else," he said, looking at half of the nightshift table.
"Tonight we are gathered here to celebrate the life of Conrad Ecklie as well as award members of CSI and the police squad for their bravery and for helping us put away some of the biggest crooks Vegas has ever had," he said, getting whoops, whistles and claps in appreciation.
"First off, let's start with Conrad Ecklie. Here to say a few words about him is Gil Grissom," the sheriff continued as Gil made his way to the podium.
Walking up to the podium, Gil pulled out the piece of paper that he had tucked away in his pocket out. Taking a deep breath Gil started,
"Conrad Ecklie and I go back a long time, over twenty years and during those years we weren't always the best of friends." Gil said getting a couple chuckles out of the crowd.
"When I first started at this lab Conrad didn't like me very much. He saw me as a threat even though we were co workers. Until I came, he had one of the highest solve rates and he wasn't too happy that he had fallen in the lab standings, but he always managed to keep up with me.
In a way we pushed each other to do better. Each of us wanted a lot of the same things; to do well in our job, to bring justice to the public and to run a lab to the best of our ability. And Conrad, as much as I disagreed with him sometimes, Conrad did run a smooth lab.
A few months ago Conrad came to me, files in hand, asking for my help. Seems he had stumbled upon something suspicious about Jeff Mckeen. For weeks Conrad, Jim Brass, my wife, Sara, and I all started an investigation that would later kill him.
I know deep down that Conrad wanted justice, and that he would never regret the actions he took. But a part of me wonders what would have happened had he not started this investigation, and all I can say is thank God he did," Gil said, taking a breath.
"Because I could not stop for death
He kindly stopped for me
The carriage he held but just ourselves
And immortality.
I think that quote fits perfectly for Conrad and anyone else who has died suddenly. Now, one can stop for death; when it's your time, it's your time," he said, looking at his team and locking eyes with his wife.
"But even though Conrad is gone, he will always be with us. He will be haunting us all from the grave, just to make sure the lab runs to perfection, he would settle for no less.
So let us raise our glasses and toast to a man that could aggravate you to no end one minute and act like your best friend the next. To Conrad Ecklie," Gil said, holding his glass and taking a sip.
"To Conrad Ecklie," the crowd repeated as Gil came back from the podium and took his seat.
"Thank you for the speech, Gil," the sheriff said.
"And now, so we can get the speeches out of the way, another award, and this one goes to the nightshift CSI's and Jim Brass. This award is for all your hard work these past couple months. Now I know none of you are big on speeches so just get up here and accept this award," he said as the whole team, Terri included, walked to the front to accept the award and have their picture taken. As the team started to walk back to their seats the sheriff asked,
"Gil, could you just stay up here for a minute," as Sara walked to the podium, her own speech in hand.
"Last week the sheriff came to me and asked me to present this award. This is a lifetime achievement award to my husband, Gil Grissom," she said, turning to see the surprised look on his face.
"Over thirty years ago, Gil got his first taste of working in a lab when he worked as a coroner in L.A. Since then he has never looked back.
With a Doctorate in Entomology, he was one of the pioneers in criminology; being one of the country's best entomologists. He has mentored many, including myself, and that whole table over there. He has taught us not only about bugs but also how to use different ways to solve a crime and figure out what goes on in a person's mind.
He has been a mentor, teacher, friend, father and a wonderful husband and I could think of no one else who deserves this award more," Sara said stepping down and handing Gil another award and kissing him on the lips.
"Congrats, Bugman," she whispered.
"I love you," he whispered as the sheriff called him up to make a speech.
"I don't know what to say, I am still shocked that I am receiving this award. As everyone here knows, I love making speeches so I'm going to make this short.
Thank you to my team, they have been my family for a long time and I couldn't ask for better people to work with. Jim, I couldn't have asked for a better best friend and grandfather for my kids.
To my team that had always had my back, who have strived for me and always pushed me to do my best, Thank you
And to my beautiful wife who has shown me the colors of life, and given me, us, six beautiful children that always seem to make this job a little easier on the hard days. Thank you and I love you
To everyone else, thank you," Gil finished, walking back to his seat with his hand entwined with Sara's.
"Congratulations, Grissom," Warrick said with a smile as the table all rose and clapped as he and Sara came back.
"Thanks guys," Gil blushed as he replied. They all sat as the sheriff once again spoke.
"Now, the last thing to announce today and then it's time for the news to go so we can enjoy the night.
I would like to formally announce the promotions of many people around the lab. These past months have caused many changes to occur within the lab for reasons already known.
First off, let's give a round of applause to Jim Brass, who has kindly accepted the position of Police Chief. He will be running and have full authority over the police that run our fair city" he started as the spotlight was shone on Jim.
"Secondly, our new lab directors, yes that's plural. As of today Gil Grissom and Catherine Willows will both be running CSI. Two minds are better than one, right you two," he added as applause started again for Gil and Catherine.
"And now, as we have an opening for graveyard supervisor, Warrick Brown will be taking the reins from Gil as supervisor. Staying with him will be the all of that team but Sara Grissom, who will be starting a new program at CSI.
Sara will be training all our new recruits, mentoring, teaching, and showing green CSI's what it's like to work with such admirable people.
Please stand and give a round of applause for these wonderful people who will be serving and protecting you from now on," the sheriff finished as the crowd stood and applauded the nightshift CSI's.
"The press is gone, let's get this party started," Greg said, pulling Torin up to dance.
"I'm with Greg, let's dance," Lindsay said dragging Tim to the floor.
"Sorry Stokes, I'll dance to the slow ones. This baby here just went to sleep," Sandy said, rubbing her protruding belly.
"Not a problem, I'll just drag Sara up. Come on, you know you want to two step with me," he said, grabbing her hands.
"You and your damn Texas charm, Stokes," Sara giggled, kissing Gil before hitting the dance floor.
"You in Ellie"
"You bet ya," she said, leaving the head of nightshift at the table as Sandy went to the bathroom again, leaving Laura and Mark at the table.
"Are you guys ready for this," Jim asked Catherine and Gil.
"I think we can do it. We'll split paperwork, Catherine can deal with media while I deal with experiments and go out on cases. I think it worked out pretty well, plus this way we're both on days, and so is Sara for the three days a week she'll work, so when the kids get older it will be easier" Gil said, watching as Sara busted a move on the floor with Nick.
"That it will, how about you, Jim, Chief of Police," Catherine said.
"This way, I can keep a better lock down on the comings and goings of officers and try and keep our lab clean."
"You'll do a great job, honey," Laura said getting nods from Gil and Catherine.
"I plan on it," he said as a slow song came over the speakers.
"Excuse me ladies and gentleman, I'm going to steal my wife back from the Texas Charmer over there," Gil said, cutting in between Nick and Sara.
"Catherine," Mark said, holding out his hand.
"Come on, woman, dance with me," Jim said.
"Well, when you ask me like that, you sweet talker," Laura snickered, taking his hand.
"You said a slow song, darlin. Come on and dance," Nick said as Sandy walked back out of the bathroom.
"Ellie," Warrick asked.
"Yeah"
"I love you"
"I love you, too," she said pulling back to look into his eyes.
"Marry me"
"What"
"Marry me, I love you, I want to spend my life with you, marry me"
Ellie's shriek answered Warrick's question.
Only a couple chapters left! But if you guys leave enough reviews i might be prompted to release another chapter later today or tonight!
What do you think about the changes to the lab?? Gil and Cath head CSI, Warrick supervisior and Sara running her own program??
Lete me know
Kaite
